{"id":301491,"date":"2026-05-05T22:10:21","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T22:10:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/301491\/"},"modified":"2026-05-05T22:10:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T22:10:21","slug":"can-sacramento-turn-interest-into-a-real-bid-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/301491\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Sacramento Turn Interest Into a Real Bid?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sacramento\u2019s push for MLB expansion is gaining momentum<\/a> at a critical time, and according to Forbes\u2019 Maury Brown<\/a>, the city is positioning itself to at least be part of the conversation\u2014even if the road ahead remains steep.<\/p>\n

Speaking on Sactown Sports\u2019 The Drive Guys,<\/a> Brown emphasized that nothing about Major League Baseball expansion is official yet, but the framework is beginning to take shape.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s been a lot of discussion about the commissioner, [who] wants to announce teams before he leaves,\u201d Brown said, referencing Rob Manfred and a potential timeline that could see expansion decisions made before his expected retirement in 2029.<\/p>\n

Sacramento\u2019s immediate next step is clarity. A joint press conference between Sacramento and West Sacramento is expected to outline the region\u2019s vision for expansion.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lot of the blanks hopefully will be filled in,\u201d Brown noted, signaling that the city\u2019s seriousness will soon be tested publicly.<\/p>\n

\"SACRAMENTO,<\/p>\n

(Photo by Thien-An Truong\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

More on MLB expansion<\/p>\n

From there, the timeline becomes more defined, but still lengthy.<\/p>\n

Brown explained that the next MLB labor agreement will likely precede any formal expansion process, followed by the creation of an expansion committee and a league-wide evaluation period.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe selection of the markets will probably be done just before Rob Manfred retires, which would mean teams [could begin play] in maybe 2031, 2032, 2033,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

For Sacramento, the challenge isn\u2019t just timing: it\u2019s money. Brown didn\u2019t mince words about the financial hurdle.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re looking at maybe $5 billion or even a little bit more\u201d when combining stadium costs and expansion fees. That figure alone places Sacramento behind more established bids, such as Nashville and Salt Lake City, both of which already have strong financial backing and ownership structures, per reports.<\/p>\n

\"SACRAMENTO,<\/p>\n

Shea Langeliers #23 of the Athletics jogs around the bases after hitting a solo home run during the bottom of the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Sutter Health Park on August 17, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Still, Sacramento does have a unique advantage: real-time MLB data. With the Athletics temporarily playing at Sutter Health Park, the region can measure fan interest, sponsorship potential, and ticket demand in ways other cities cannot.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt gives real data. What would season ticket interest be? What would corporate sponsors be?\u201d Brown said.<\/p>\n

That data could prove invaluable, especially for a market often questioned for its corporate depth. While Sacramento is growing, Brown acknowledged concerns about whether the region has sufficient large-scale business support to sustain an MLB franchise in the long term.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, Sacramento remains a long shot\u2014but not an unrealistic one.<\/p>\n

As Brown put it, \u201cEverybody\u2019s going to say that they want [a team], and you get down to who are the contenders and who are the pretenders.\u201d For Sacramento, the coming months may determine which category it falls into.<\/p>\n

Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the\u00a0Sactown Sports YouTube channel.<\/a><\/p>\n

Listen to\u00a0The Drive Guys\u00a0from 2 \u2013 6 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on\u00a0Sactown Sports 1140.<\/a><\/p>\n

More MLB content from Sactown Sports<\/p>\n

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