RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — As the Carolina Hurricanes draw national attention with their postseason run, momentum is building behind a push to bring Major League Baseball to Raleigh.<\/p>\n
Team owner Tom Dundon has made clear his interest in helping land a franchise in the capital city, as MLB explores potential expansion in the coming years.<\/p>\n
“The Hurricanes’ success here couldn’t come at a better time,” said Lou Pascucci, co-founder of MLB Raleigh<\/a>, a grassroots group working to attract a team to the area.<\/p>\n Pascucci said the excitement generated by the Hurricanes’ run to the Stanley Cup Final reflects the strong sports culture in the region.<\/p>\n “If you live here, you’re feeling this excitement. This is amazing,” he said.<\/p>\n The area’s fervent embracing of the Hurricanes has shown that the Triangle is more than just a college-sports hotbed.<\/p>\n “One of the knocks the Triangle area has always gotten is that it’s a college sports market. I think (support of the Canes) demonstrates at one level that when a team wins, when there is an ownership, when there is a venue experience that is at a certain level, when the team connects with the local culture, that there is an appetite for professional sports,” said Dr. Michael Edwards, a Professor of Sport Management at NC State University.<\/p>\n MLB Raleigh has focused on promoting not just the Triangle, but the broader state as a potential market.<\/p>\n “We’re weaker if we build a fence around this. We’re stronger if we can pitch Raleigh as an amazing market and then turn around and say, and you know what else you get — you get the state of North Carolina. Eleven million people. The No. 1 largest state without Major League Baseball,” said Pascucci.<\/p>\n MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has said he would like to announce two expansion teams by 2029, potentially positioning Raleigh as a contender in the process.<\/p>\n The surge in attention comes as the Hurricanes continue to generate strong television ratings and large crowds at watch parties, signaling growing demand for professional sports in the region.<\/p>\n “Turn on ESPN<\/a>. Turn on ABC<\/a>. All they can talk about is this market. How loud the fans are, they’re talking about the tailgating. They’re talking about the passion for hockey in a non-historic hockey market,” said Pascucci.<\/p>\n Edwards noted that financial backing in ownership is a strength for Raleigh’s bid, but challenges remain.<\/p>\n “I think the biggest thing they’re looking at right now is going to be the corporate market, which Raleigh certainly lacks in terms of comparison to some of the other cities that have been talked about,” he said.<\/p>\n