{"id":336597,"date":"2026-05-28T22:40:16","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T22:40:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/336597\/"},"modified":"2026-05-28T22:40:16","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T22:40:16","slug":"sacramento-mayor-confident-in-chances-for-mlb-expansion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/336597\/","title":{"rendered":"Sacramento Mayor confident in chances for MLB Expansion"},"content":{"rendered":"

MLB expansion officially became more real for Sacramento on Thursday, as city leaders and business partners unveiled an ambitious bid to bring Major League Baseball to the region<\/a>, and Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty believes the city is uniquely positioned to win.<\/p>\n

Speaking with Sactown Sports\u2019 The Matt & Kayla Show<\/a> following the official launch of \u201cThe Sacramento Pitch,\u201d McCarty described the day as a landmark moment for the city.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m a lifelong Sactown kid,\u201d McCarty said. \u201cI\u2019m excited that we have the opportunity to not just compete, but you know, be in consideration for MLB expansion. I dreamed about this when I was a kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Sacramento<\/p>\n

(The Sacramento Pitch)<\/p>\n

Sacramento Begins Push For MLB Expansion Team<\/p>\n

Sacramento\u2019s proposal includes a new ballpark and a mixed-use entertainment district in West Sacramento near Sutter Health Park, with a projected overall investment of nearly $4 billion.<\/p>\n

The expansion effort includes local leaders, tribal partners, business executives, and former MLB players such as Dusty Baker and Derrek Lee.<\/p>\n

McCarty emphasized that Sacramento\u2019s market size and growth make the city a legitimate MLB expansion candidate.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re the largest city in America that only has one professional team,\u201d McCarty said. \u201cIf you look at our population, our TV market, our growth, our disposable income, we rank at the top of all these cities across America.\u201d<\/p>\n

That belief has become central to Sacramento\u2019s MLB expansion pitch as the city competes with markets such as Portland, Salt Lake City, and Vancouver for what is expected to be one of two future MLB franchises.<\/p>\n

McCarty also pointed to Sacramento\u2019s ongoing growth in sports as another advantage.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve called this over the last handful of years, a Sacramento sports renaissance,\u201d Matt George said during the interview, referencing the rise of Downtown Commons, the success of the Golden 1 Center, Sacramento Republic FC\u2019s new stadium plans, and the city\u2019s broader economic momentum.<\/p>\n

Mayor McCarty agreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSacramento is one of the few cities in California that\u2019s growing,\u201d he said. \u201cOur population is growing, our economy is growing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SACRAMENTO,<\/p>\n

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA \u2013 MAY 06: A general view of the Athletics playing against the Seattle Mariners at Sutter Health Park on May 06, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The mayor painted a vision of a downtown sports and entertainment corridor stretching from the rail yards to Golden 1 Center and a future MLB stadium site in West Sacramento.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re talking millions of people focusing on the downtown core,\u201d McCarty said. \u201cThat\u2019s going to make Sacramento more exciting, a place that people want to live, and frankly, help grow our economy.\u201d<\/p>\n

The city also believes its current relationship with the Athletics strengthens its MLB expansion case. McCarty noted Sacramento has already worked closely with MLB and Commissioner Rob Manfred since the A\u2019s temporarily relocated to West Sacramento.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe let them know that we\u2019re going to be putting our city forward, our region forward for expansion when the time comes,\u201d McCarty said. \u201cWe think we will get not only a fair shot, but we have a great chance of winning.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Sacramento still needs a lead ownership group before MLB expansion officially moves forward, Thursday\u2019s announcement represented the clearest sign yet that the city intends to aggressively pursue becoming a future Major League Baseball market.<\/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 and watch Sactown Sports\u2019\u00a0The Matt & Kayla Show<\/a>\u00a0with Matt George & Kayla Anderson, airing weekdays from\u00a010 a.m. to 2 p.m. PT on Sactown Sports.<\/p>\n

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

Upcoming Athletics 2026 Schedule<\/p>\n

Monday, May 25th \u2013 Wednesday, May 27th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Seattle Mariners
\nFriday, May 29th \u2013 Sunday, May 31st\u00a0\u2013 vs. New York Yankees
\nTuesday, June 2nd \u2013 Thursday, June 4th\u00a0\u2013 @ Chicago Cubs
\nFriday, June 5th \u2013 Sunday, June 7th \u2013 @ Houston Astros
\nMonday, June 8th \u2013 Wednesday, June 10th \u2013 vs. Milwaukee Brewers<\/p>\n

Thank you for reading\u00a0SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n