{"id":342084,"date":"2026-06-01T23:12:53","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T23:12:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/342084\/"},"modified":"2026-06-01T23:12:53","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T23:12:53","slug":"mlb-expansion-where-sacramento-stands-against-others-in-mix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/342084\/","title":{"rendered":"MLB Expansion: Where Sacramento stands against others in mix"},"content":{"rendered":"

MLB expansion took center stage in Sacramento last week as city leaders formally unveiled \u201cThe Sacramento Pitch,\u201d a bid to bring Major League Baseball to the region permanently.<\/a><\/p>\n

The proposal features an ambitious vision: a new ballpark in the River District near Sutter Health Park, billions in public and private investment, support from local tribal nations, and backing from several prominent Sacramento figures.<\/p>\n

But according to The Sacramento Bee\u2018s Chris Biderman<\/a>, one critical piece remains missing.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe big thing coming out of it was sort of what wasn\u2019t talked about,\u201d Biderman said on Sactown Sports\u2019 The Drive Guys<\/a>. \u201cThat was the lack of the primary owner, the primary financier, and whoever is going to pay for the two-plus billion dollar expansion fee.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Sacramento<\/p>\n

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

More on Sacramento\u2019s MLB Expansion bid<\/p>\n

Sacramento\u2019s proposal includes a fully entitled stadium site, infrastructure plans, and a public-private partnership framework that could make the project relatively turnkey once ownership is secured. Biderman believes those factors help distinguish Sacramento from other MLB expansion candidates.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would say probably the public-private partnership,\u201d Biderman said when asked what part of Sacramento\u2019s bid would concern competing cities. \u201cThe fact that there is a situation where it could be pretty turnkey once you do have an owner in place. You have land, you have infrastructure, potentially available, in terms of the money and funding.\u201d<\/p>\n

The region also has a unique advantage: MLB is already playing games in Sacramento, with the Athletics temporarily calling Sutter Health Park home through 2027.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact that you have Major League Baseball here right now, and there\u2019s real data that Major League Baseball can look at and pull from,\u201d Biderman said. \u201cI think that does give Sacramento somewhat of a leg up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Still, Biderman repeatedly pointed to ownership as the deciding factor.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Sacramento is able to find ownership within the next six months or a year, then I would say they elevate themselves to Salt Lake City\u2019s level in terms of viability,\u201d he said. \u201cBut for now, that\u2019s all kind of hypothetical.\u201d<\/p>\n

Salt Lake City currently appears to have an advantage because the Miller family has already expressed willingness to own a franchise and pay the expansion fee.<\/p>\n

\"SACRAMENTO,<\/p>\n

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA \u2013 AUGUST 01: A general view of Sutter Health Park before a game between the Athletics and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Sutter Health Park on August 01, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thien-An Truong\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Sacramento, meanwhile, continues to search for a lead investor with the financial resources and credibility that MLB ownership groups typically seek.<\/p>\n

Biderman also noted that former Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob, viewed by many as a potential candidate, is no longer pursuing the opportunity.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe wants to buy a team that already exists and is playing games right now,\u201d Biderman said. \u201cNot buying into an opportunity to compete with three or four other markets to start a team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ultimately, Biderman believes MLB expansion may come down to more than market size, television reach, or projected revenues.<\/p>\n

\u201cMajor League Baseball is an entity that\u2019s just 30 rich guys, 30 owners,\u201d he said. \u201cExpansion is going to be about who do those rich guys want to give a seat at the table for.\u201d<\/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

Upcoming Athletics 2026 Schedule<\/p>\n

Tuesday, 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 (in Las Vegas)
\nFriday, June 12th \u2013 Sunday, June 14th \u2013 vs. Colorado Rockies (in Las Vegas)
\nMonday, June 15th \u2013 Wednesday, June 17th \u2013 vs. Pittsburgh Pirates<\/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