Major League Baseball In North Carolina? It May Be Getting Closer
It’s been a hot topic for years and at this point it’s a matter of when and where and not “if”. The timeline is not set in stone but MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred wants to expand the league from its current 30 teams to 32. ESPN reported about a week ago that Rob Manfred wants to have a plan in place for the expansion before he steps down in 2024. So could that mean Major League Baseball possibly in North Carolina?
Charlotte or Raleigh for Major League Baseball In North Carolina?
Several cities across the country have expressed interest in landing one of these teams. And why wouldn’t you want to as a city? Among these are both Charlotte and Raleigh. Both cities have a good case for being awarded a team. Currently, North Carolina is an underserved market with the closest teams being the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals. Both metro areas are steadily growing at some of the highest rates nationwide. There are an abundance of minor league teams in the state of North Carolina as well.
Both the Charlotte Knights and Durham Bulls draw respectable crowds to their downtown stadiums. So it certainly seems as though the interest is there. It’s also the only major professional sport the state doesn’t have. Charlotte is home to the Carolina Panthers (NFL), Charlotte Hornets (NBA), and Charlotte Football Club (MLS). While Raleigh is home to the Carolina Hurricanes (NHL).
ESPN analysts suggest that Raleigh is the more likely destination of the two North Carolina cities. Raleigh has a more organized push, and even Governor Roy Cooper seems to be pushing the idea of MLB coming to Raleigh. The capital city also offers a more clear location to build a stadium- in the vicinity of PNC Arena (Carolina Hurricanes/NC State Basketball) and Carter Finley Stadium (NC State Football). Raleigh also already has a deep-pocked investor ready to foot the bill for the project. Billionaire Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon is ready and willing to purchase a team and owns the land around PNC that would be needed for the stadium.
Charlotte doesn’t have an easy spot for a prime stadium location. The current Charlotte Knights Stadium doesn’t have room to expand to accommodate Major League Baseball. Raleigh has also shown more interest in the team. And with Charlotte being home to 3 professional teams compared to Raleigh’s one, that helps as well.
The biggest obstacle to both cities though? Is Nashville’s interest. It’s unlikely (and nearly unthinkable) that neighboring states would be awarded teams. And as ESPN says Nashville is the “sexier pick”. Dundon and the Bring MLB To Raleigh group however still think Raleigh is the best pick. And I have to agree! Though I’m clearly biased. However, I do feel confident in saying if Major League Baseball comes to North Carolina, it will be to Raleigh.
Learn about the initiative to land a major league baseball team in Raleigh North Carolina here. Read the full ESPN analysis of potential expansion cities here.
Do You Know Every North Carolina Minor League Baseball Team?
