Salt Lake City joins race to land MLB expansion team

Gail Miller Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

Salt Lake City joins race to land MLB expansion outfit

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Apr 12, 2023 9:19 PM ET

Salt Lake City could be the home of the newest MLB team. At the very least, a group led by Gail Miller -- the former owner of the Utah Jazz -- is hoping to make professional baseball in Utah a reality.

Miller is at the head of a group called Big League Utah, which is pitching Utah as "the future of America's pastime." The community coalition refers to Utah as a "5-tool player" when it comes to the ability to support a new MLB team.

The promotional website touts Utah's overall state growth, the fact that it has the youngest population in the United States and the fact that it is a Top-30 media market that has already shown the ability to hit ratings markers in the NBA.

Miller's group has a physical site picked out for construction, as well as an early concept for a new MLB ballpark in the Rocky Mountain Power District of Salt Lake City.

The #BigLeagueUtah coalition has targeted a shovel-ready site for a new MLB ballpark at the 100-acre @RMP_Utah District on Salt Lake City’s west side. #BigLeagueUtah https://t.co/zlFPXUE1Z1 pic.twitter.com/AfKpRXWy1S
— BigLeagueUtah (@BigLeagueUtah) April 12, 2023

"The best major league venues are closest to their metro areas. Salt Lake City offers a range of options for hotels, dining, entertainment, and arts and culture. It also hosts the majority of our state’s conventions and events. We believe Utah’s capital city is the most ideal location for a major league ballpark," Big League Utah's website notes.

It is worth noting that Salt Lake City is not alone in its pursuit of an MLB team. Groups in Nashville and Oregon are likewise ready to court the league, while Las Vegas is considered a top potential landing spot for the Oakland Athletics should that organization at some point relocate.

At this juncture, Jeff Passan of ESPN hears that MLB has no plans for expansion until the respective futures of the A's and Tampa Bay Rays -- who are also considering a move -- are sorted out. Commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed a desire to eventually push from 30 to 32 teams.

Keep Utah in mind for the future. Salt Lake City -- and the state as a whole -- have a strong pitch to make should the time come.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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