SouthernWorldwide.com – The city of Sacramento is making a strong bid to become the next home for a Major League Baseball (MLB) team.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed his intention to add two expansion teams before his retirement in January 2029. Sacramento, recognized as the largest market in the United States currently without an MLB franchise, has officially entered the race.
The city, which boasts MLB legends Dusty Baker and Derrek Lee as natives, has shown significant financial commitment. They successfully raised $1.8 billion in just four months specifically for a potential new stadium.
Furthermore, Sacramento’s existing sports franchises demonstrate a strong market appeal. Local teams such as the NBA’s Kings, USL’s Republic FC, and the MiLB’s River Cats consistently rank among the top performers in revenue and attendance within their respective leagues.
A city representative highlighted Sacramento’s significant standing, stating, “People don’t talk about us, but we’re a top-20 media market, we’re twice the size of Las Vegas and twice the size of Salt Lake City. I don’t think people think of us that way because California has this outwardly spectacular brand and reputation historically.”
Sacramento has recently experienced professional baseball firsthand with the Oakland Athletics temporarily relocating to the state capital. The Athletics are set to play in Sacramento until their move to Las Vegas in 2028.
This temporary arrangement, where Sacramento fans are divided between supporting the San Francisco Giants and the Athletics, has reportedly opened the city’s eyes to the possibility of having its own MLB team.
The positive reception to the Athletics’ presence was noted, with one official admitting, “When they came to Sacramento, I think the town was pleasantly surprised. The immediate reaction was, ‘Can we keep them?’ Everyone was excited and asking whether the Athletics could stay. We had to tell people no — they’re only going to be here for three years while they transition to Las Vegas.”
However, the experience has sparked a new ambition. “But their arrival made the town start thinking that maybe we could have our own team. I think the Athletics are now benefiting from that.
The enthusiasm surrounding the team is growing, with attendance on the rise and community spirit building. This is seen as a clear demonstration to Major League Baseball that Sacramento is ready for its own franchise.
While other cities like Nashville, Austin/San Antonio, Montreal, Charlotte, Orlando, Portland, Raleigh, and Salt Lake City are also considered for expansion, Sacramento’s leadership believes its “dedicated fan base” has already proven the city’s viability.
The argument for Sacramento is compelling: “We’re a town that has a lot to bring to baseball… Why wouldn’t MLB come into a community that, at its heart, is a baseball town, that has demonstrated success with its minor-league sports and its NBA team? Why not come in and capture that incredible media market?”
The city views this as a prime opportunity that MLB should not overlook. “I think we’ve got the track record to do it, and now we’re on a mission to put ourselves in serious contention for this expansion…
The final piece of the puzzle, according to proponents, is securing a strong ownership group. “If we can pair this market with a bona fide, elite ownership group, it becomes very difficult to deny Sacramento’s case.”
