MLB Off-Topic

[DrJones]

I think one problem MLB faces is that there are fewer "slam dunk" expansion cities available compared to the NBA and NHL, and pro baseball requires a greater fan commitment than either of those leagues.

Biggest US markets without a team (for the purpose of this exercise, I'm counting Tampa/Orlando, San Antonio/Austin, Charlotte/Raleigh, Cleveland/Columbus, Nashville/Memphis, and the SF Bay area as single markets):

NFL (32): San Diego, Salt Lake City, St. Louis, Portland
NBA (30): Seattle, San Diego, Las Vegas, St. Louis, Kansas City, Pittsburgh
NHL (32): Houston, Atlanta, Phoenix, San Diego, Portland, San Antonio
MLB (30): Charlotte, Salt Lake City, Portland, San Antonio, Indianapolis, Nashville

[Madden08PCgmr]

Eddie DeBartolo was floated as a potential buyer for the Rays. Wouldn't be a bit surprised if he moved them to the Bay Area.

I'm sure the Giants want it all to themselves, but they could easily support another team. Over 9 million people in the metro area. Not to mention the corporate giants in the area.

Thats a far better opportunity than any other US city can offer.

[DrJones]

Quote: Originally Posted by Madden08PCgmr

Eddie DeBartolo was floated as a potential buyer for the Rays. Wouldn't be a bit surprised if he moved them to the Bay Area. I'm sure the Giants want it all to themselves, but they could easily support another team. Over 9 million people in the metro area. Not to mention the corporate giants in the area. Thats a far better opportunity than any other US city can offer.

The A's wanted to move to San Jose and the Giants killed it in one of the biggest dick moves in baseball history. (The A's gifted the Giants the territorial rights to San Jose to help save the Giants from moving to Tampa in the early 90s). Is Manfred willing to go to war against the Giants and the 5th richest owner in MLB (who's considerably wealthier than DeBartolo)?

https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco...rea-expansion/

[zello144]

The Orlando Rays. Orlando has money to fund a stadium. MLB can still say they're committed to central Florida. Maybe they can fill the stadium.

[Majingir]

Quote: Originally Posted by zello144

The Orlando Rays. Orlando has money to fund a stadium. MLB can still say they're committed to central Florida. Maybe they can fill the stadium.

The Marlins and Rays have both done poorly attendance wise, I get why they want to have more teams in areas like that, but it just doesn't work. You're almost banking on half the stadium capacity at these games being traveling fans from other cities, which isn't happening as often.

I think the NBA is the only sport where they don't have a struggling Florida team (attendance/fan wise).


Take the Rays out if the equation, the league has 8 West teams (6 Pacific timezone teams, 2 mountain timezone teams), 8 central teams, 14 East teams.

If the league does expand one day, I think they should do it based on timezones (8 divisions of 4 or 4 divisions of 8), and since the Pacific and central times are already evened out, it'll probably be better if their 2 expansion teams come in the east, but it also means the Rays if they relocate should also stay in the east.

[Ghost Of The Year]

Florida only needs one team, and it needs to play 20 games in Jacksonville, 20 games in Tampa, 20 games in Miami and 20 games in Orlando. They should be called the Florida Marlins. The Tampa Bay Rays should move to Charlotte or Montreal.

[Majingir]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ghost Of The Year

Florida only needs one team, and it needs to play 20 games in Jacksonville, 20 games in Tampa, 20 games in Miami and 20 games in Orlando. They should be called the Florida Marlins. The Tampa Bay Rays should move to Charlotte or Montreal.

I don't think we ever will/should see a "touring team" in pro sports unless its a drastic situation like the NO/OKC Hornets, or the 2020/21 Toronto Buffalo Dunedin Los Angeles Blue Jays of Anaheim and so on.

Especially for baseball where you need to have an MLB sized ballpark which only exists in current or former MLB locations. Not like basketball or hockey where its in an arena and you can use other facilities, or even minor league ones are decent sized.

The Marlins should just rebrand back to the Florida Marlins once the Rays move and represent all of Florida. Would that impact TV deals in any way (if there were regional restrictions which had Rays region vs Marlins region) where only 1 team means the entire state can now get the Marlins games? Really emphasize them being "Florida's Team".

Imo the Rays leaving would probably just have Rays fans more likely to be Marlins (or other teams fans) than give up baseball altogether, while gaining a fan base wherever the Rays move.

[steelerfan]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ghost Of The Year

Florida only needs one team, and it needs to play 20 games in Jacksonville, 20 games in Tampa, 20 games in Miami and 20 games in Orlando. They should be called the Florida Marlins. The Tampa Bay Rays should move to Charlotte or Montreal.

I'm not sure that one team having 4 stadiums is the best idea.

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