Sacramento’s Capital Region officials recently took their first step towards an MLB representation with the ‘Sacramento Pitch.’ It pledged $1.8 billion in funding for offering an MLB-level infrastructure. However, critics worry about how a city with an estimated population of 550,000 and no major financier coming forward to acquire an MLB franchise could compete if MLB decides to expand to 32 teams by 2028.

However, Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty is confident about the expansion.

“I say yes, 100%… I looked at it and studied the other jurisdictions that are vying for it. They’re no different than us,” McCarty told EssentiallySports Exclusive. “And if you look at the metrics as far as we mentioned earlier, population, TV market, growth, the economy, all those factors, we are equal to or greater than all the other competition. So, this just zeroes in on having a ballpark site that’s entitled and shovel-ready, which we do, a good public-private partnership to help finance it, which we do.”

Since MLB commissioner Rob Manfred wishes to add two more teams by 2028 and bump up the total to 32 teams, multiple cities are readying up for their bids. Sacramento has to compete with cities like Nashville, Salt Lake City, Portland, and Charlotte to secure a team.

Sacramento is the 20th-largest television market in the U.S. They boast a metro population of nearly three million. The city already demonstrated a strong appetite for major league sports with the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. So, the city already has the exposure of housing a major league franchise. Outside of Orlando, it is the largest television market in the country without a permanent MLB team. With the Sacramento Pitch, the city is making its biggest push for an MLB team. 

Under their proposed $1.8 billion project, a 50-acre site in West Sacramento’s Bridge District has been chosen to be developed into a ballpark district. Also, unlike its rivals, Sacramento has the distinct advantage of housing an MLB team. The Sutter Health Minor League Park is the temporary home for the Oakland Athletics through the 2027 season while their Las Vegas stadium is being built.

The 14,000-capacity ballpark averaged around 10,000 attendees in each game of the A’s in 205. So, for McCarty, there’s real-world data to show a ready market for MLB in the city. However, despite all the favorable factors, funding still remains the biggest concern for McCarty’s critics.

Sacramento’s MLB dream will find its ‘No. 1 guy’ in time

The Sacramento Pitch campaign is fueled by $800 million in funding from developer Mark Friedman. The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians and the United Auburn Indian Community are also involved. However, the city is yet to get an investor who’s willing to take the risk for an MLB franchise.

“We’ve kind of set the foundation for a local ownership group. McCarty added. “We’re still growing. I know some of the critics say, ‘Where’s your number one? Where’s your, Steinbrenner, Lew Wolff type of person? Who’s the lead?”

“… The campaign hasn’t even started yet. The MLB hasn’t even said when they’re looking for cities to put forward their application. [But] we have a couple options. We want to make sure that the number one lead investor fits our desires, matches our Sacramento kind of mantra and also makes sense for them as well.”

In comparison, Salt Lake City’s bid for an MLB team is backed by the Miller family, who owned the Utah Jazz from 1985 through 2020. Sacramento has yet to get someone like that.

Critics are skeptical about the potential cost involved in an MLB franchise. Los Angeles Times’ Bill Shaikin wrote that after collective bargaining, insiders figured the whole cost could go up to $4 billion. However, Sacramento’s Mayor is optimistic about bidding, and perhaps the A’s would play a bigger role in it.