Some MLB owners express concern over baseball expansion plans
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: May 31, 2026, 5:49 PM
Last updated May 31, 2026
As MLB considers expansion, some owners question the economic viability of adding two new teams. While cities like Sacramento, Nashville, and Salt Lake City vie for franchises, ownership fears that new teams could diminish revenue-sharing for existing clubs. Historical examples from the last expansion, which occurred in 1998, contribute to this hesitance. Commissioner Rob Manfred remains optimistic, citing the long-term benefits of expanding the league to 32 teams by 2029, including more job opportunities for players and streamlined scheduling.
- •Owners debate who bears the financial burden of expansion after initial fees.
- •Cities like Sacramento and Nashville are competing for new franchises.
- •Concerns arise from the financial impact seen in past expansions.
- •Commissioner Rob Manfred supports expansion to 32 teams by 2029.
- •Expansion could provide new player opportunities with additional rosters.
- 5:49 PMYahoo Sports — Why some MLB owners don’t want baseball to expand
"MLB expansion sounds inevitable from the outside, but some owners are asking a harder question: who pays for two more teams after the expansion checks clear? The public energy is real. Sacramento, Nashville, Salt Lake City and other hopeful markets are acting like baseball’s next growth wave is only a matter of timing.
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