Mariner Talk Chat Forum

So I just read that the NHL, which has the perfect number of franchises at 32, is looking to expand by two more and is targeting Houston and Austin. Yep, two more hockey teams in Texas although given that Austin is the 12th most populated city in the US, and given that it's a three-hour drive both to Dallas and Houston, they're overdue for a pro sports franchise. And of course Houston as the fourth most populated city in the US can support four pro franchises easily. Anyway, odd that they're expanding but it seems like they're making good choices although it would be nice to see an isolated big city like Albuquerque get one.

The NFL has 32 franchises and they're not messing with it. Good.

The NBA has 30 franchises and it looks like eventually they'll add Seattle and Vegas. Good.

So when is MLB going to expand to 32 franchises? Baseball is bigger than ever so the two new cities will throw a lot of support into their new franchises, and with pitching the way it is now you don't have to really worry much about diluting it. It's not going to be like 1961/1962, 1969 and 1977. Let's make this happen.'

If it does happen, what two cities (and ONLY two) would you like to see get MLB franchises? I'm casting my votes for Portland and Nashville.

Montreal and Portland.

Portland? That's basically a smaller Oakland.

How's about Des Moines, Iowa and New Oileans LA?

AlvinDavisFan21 wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 23, 2026 8:19 pm

Montreal and Portland.

Montreal would have to make a serious bid and build a new ballpark near where most of the population is. Olympic Stadium is an eyesore and in a terrible location. That's what cost them the Expos.

Sibelius Hindemith wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 23, 2026 8:30 pm

Portland? That's basically a smaller Oakland.

Portland's bigger than Oakland. 28th most populated city, 26th most populated metro area. They are being aggressive and are one of the frontrunners. Here's their ballpark plan: https://portlanddiamondproject.com/ballpark-concepts

Sibelius Hindemith wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 23, 2026 9:17 pm

How's about Des Moines, Iowa and New Oileans LA?

The population of Des Moines is about 200K and the metro area about 750K. That's almost like putting a franchise in Spokane.

New Orleans doesn't even have a minor league team right now, and no place to build a ballpark. You really want to put an MLB franchise there?

Charlotte is making a big play for an expansion team after winning the Stanley Cup, but I think Nashville and Salt Lake City will be the next franchises.

Bil522 wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 23, 2026 10:35 pm

Charlotte is making a big play for an expansion team after winning the Stanley Cup, but I think Nashville and Salt Lake City will be the next franchises.

Charlotte has a great chance of landing a franchise. Hopefully SLC doesn't as being at almost 5K altitude they'll have the same problems that the Rockies do in that nobody will want to pitch there and in turn nobody will want to play there.

DavidGee24 wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 23, 2026 10:20 pm

Sibelius Hindemith wrote: ↑

Tue Jun 23, 2026 9:17 pm

How's about Des Moines, Iowa and New Oileans LA?

The population of Des Moines is about 200K and the metro area about 750K. That's almost like putting a franchise in Spokane.

New Orleans doesn't even have a minor league team right now, and no place to build a ballpark. You really want to put an MLB franchise there?

C'mon they could build a ballpark in a corn field and call it the Field of Dreams and make it the #1 tourist destination in sports.

And in N'orleans they got this thing called the Supah Dome.

From a geographic standpoint Portland and Salt Lake City make sense. Not a fan of each city on a personal level, especially SLC which is a creepy little polluted city.