Key facts
- Sacramento is making a bid for a Major League Baseball expansion team.
- The city has committed $1 billion in public funding and nearly $800 million in private investment for a new stadium.
- Sacramento is the 20th largest television market in the U.S. and currently has only one major professional sports team.
- The Athletics are temporarily playing in Sacramento before relocating to Las Vegas.
- MLB has indicated that expansion decisions will be made after a new collective bargaining agreement is finalized.
Sacramento is actively positioning itself to be considered for a Major League Baseball expansion team, with city officials highlighting the region's market potential and fan enthusiasm. Mayor Kevin McCarty emphasized the city's desire to be recognized as a "big league city" and pointed to the strong attendance for the Oakland Athletics' temporary games at Sutter Health Park.
The city has announced a "Sacramento Pitch" that includes a commitment of $1 billion in public funding and nearly $800 million in private investment for a new stadium. Officials believe Sacramento, the 20th largest television market with only one major professional sports team, has ample room for growth and fan support.
While the Athletics are using Sacramento as a temporary home before their planned move to Las Vegas, local leaders see this as a demonstration of the market's viability for a permanent MLB franchise. Attendance at Sutter Health Park has seen an increase this season, with sellouts occurring in the 12,000-capacity ballpark.
Barry Broome, CEO of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, expressed confidence in the city's ability to secure a team, citing a "turnkey stadium deal" and the significant financial commitments already raised. However, the plan still requires a lead investor, and MLB has indicated that any expansion decisions will be contingent on the completion of a new collective bargaining agreement with the players' union. Other cities, including Charlotte, Montreal, Nashville, Portland, and Salt Lake City, are also reportedly vying for potential expansion franchises.