Is Charlotte’s Dream Of Becoming Home To An MLB Team Suddenly Over
There’s been a grass movement going on for a while. People want Major League Baseball in Charlotte. Charlotte’s been part of discussions to become home to an MLB team when expansion comes to the sport soon. But Charlotte’s dream of becoming home to an MLB team may be over. Rob Manfred, MLB’s commissioner has mentioned the Queen City several times as a great city to have a team. Nashville, Portland, Salt Lake City and Montreal are also mentioned as potential expansion cities.
This all sounds great, except one huge problem just popped up. The Tampa Bay Rays have just signed a new stadium deal to remain in the Tampa St. Pete area. That means the Rays are no longer an option to move to one of the cities mentioned let alone Charlotte. So the MLB in Charlotte dream may be over. Now if Charlotte wants a team it will have to build a contender from the ground up. We all know how difficult that can be. (See the NBA’s Bobcats).
Manfred has stated he will add 2 expansion teams in the near future. We could get a clearer picture of when that will happen this fall during MLB’s owner’s meetings in Las Vegas.
To complicate matters on the Charlotte front, no one person or investment group has said they want to bring an expansion team here. However, that person or group could come from elsewhere. Just like David Tepper did in 2018 when he bought the NFL Panthers for $2.275 billion. Tepper was part owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He later dished out $325 million to add a Major League Soccer expansion team to the QC. Michael Jordan just sold our city’s oldest big-league team, the NBA Hornets…for 3 billion.
I love going to AAA Charlotte Knights games. It’s a cheap night, with an awesome new ballpark. Word is that if we do land an MLB team, that stadium would be ready to host the team. Of course, they’d need to add a few thousand seats which according to reports is not easy. We may not see MLB in Charlotte anytime soon.
The List Of Baseball's Best And Worst Mascots Is In
Phillie Phanatic - Philadelphia Phillies
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 31: The Phillie Phanatic performs in the seventh inning during a game between the Washington Nationals and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 31, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Nationals won 5-1. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
Fredbird - St. Louis Cardinals
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI – OCTOBER 12: The St. Louis Cardinals mascot Fredbird is seen during game two of the National League Championship Series between the Washington Nationals and the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on October 12, 2019 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Scott Kane/Getty Images)
Mr. Redlegs - Cincinnati Reds
CINCINNATI, OH – APRIL 4: Cincinnati Reds mascot Mr. Redlegs celebrates after the opening day game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Great American Ball Park on April 4, 2016 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Reds defeated the Phillies 6-2. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Swinging Friar - San Diego Padres
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 18: Mascot Swinging Friar of the San Diego Padres on the field prior to game one of the National League Championship Series against the Philadelphia Phillies at PETCO Park on October 18, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Get each mascots winning percentage here!
SOURCE| YouGov
