MLB Expansion: Can Sacramento turn interest into a real bid?

Sacramento’s push for MLB expansion is gaining momentum at a critical time, and according to Forbes’ Maury Brown, the city is positioning itself to at least be part of the conversation—even if the road ahead remains steep.

Speaking on Sactown Sports’ The Drive Guys, Brown emphasized that nothing about Major League Baseball expansion is official yet, but the framework is beginning to take shape.

“There’s been a lot of discussion about the commissioner, [who] wants to announce teams before he leaves,” Brown said, referencing Rob Manfred and a potential timeline that could see expansion decisions made before his expected retirement in 2029.

Sacramento’s immediate next step is clarity. A joint press conference between Sacramento and West Sacramento is expected to outline the region’s vision for expansion.

“A lot of the blanks hopefully will be filled in,” Brown noted, signaling that the city’s seriousness will soon be tested publicly.

(Photo by Thien-An Truong/Getty Images)

More on MLB expansion

From there, the timeline becomes more defined, but still lengthy.

Brown explained that the next MLB labor agreement will likely precede any formal expansion process, followed by the creation of an expansion committee and a league-wide evaluation period.

“The selection of the markets will probably be done just before Rob Manfred retires, which would mean teams [could begin play] in maybe 2031, 2032, 2033,” he said.

For Sacramento, the challenge isn’t just timing: it’s money. Brown didn’t mince words about the financial hurdle.

“You’re looking at maybe $5 billion or even a little bit more” when combining stadium costs and expansion fees. That figure alone places Sacramento behind more established bids, such as Nashville and Salt Lake City, both of which already have strong financial backing and ownership structures, per reports.

Shea Langeliers #23 of the Athletics jogs around the bases after hitting a solo home run during the bottom of the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Sutter Health Park on August 17, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images)

Still, Sacramento does have a unique advantage: real-time MLB data. With the Athletics temporarily playing at Sutter Health Park, the region can measure fan interest, sponsorship potential, and ticket demand in ways other cities cannot.

“It gives real data. What would season ticket interest be? What would corporate sponsors be?” Brown said.

That data could prove invaluable, especially for a market often questioned for its corporate depth. While Sacramento is growing, Brown acknowledged concerns about whether the region has sufficient large-scale business support to sustain an MLB franchise in the long term.

Ultimately, Sacramento remains a long shot—but not an unrealistic one.

As Brown put it, “Everybody’s going to say that they want [a team], and you get down to who are the contenders and who are the pretenders.” For Sacramento, the coming months may determine which category it falls into.

Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the Sactown Sports YouTube channel.

Listen to The Drive Guys from 2 – 6 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.

More MLB content from Sactown Sports

• Is Sacramento ready for MLB expansion? Former A’s owner weighs in
• Where does Leo De Vries fit within the A’s defense?
• A’s star Brent Rooker on embracing Year 2 in Sacramento
• West Sacramento Mayor: Region Pushing for MLB Expansion

Upcoming Athletics 2026 Schedule

• Tuesday, May 5th – Thursday, May 7th @ Philadelphia Phillies
• Friday, May 8th – Sunday, May 10th – @ Baltimore Orioles
• Tuesday, May 12th – Thursday, May 14th – vs. St. Louis Cardinals
• Friday, May 15th – Sunday, May 17th – vs. San Francisco Giants
• Monday, May 18th – Thursday, May 21st – @ Los Angeles Angels

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