Sacramento Leaders Launch MLB Expansion Bid

City officials plan spring campaign and May press conference to pitch region as expansion candidate

Mar. 11, 2026 at 9:05pm

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Sacramento and West Sacramento leaders are ramping up efforts to land a Major League Baseball expansion team, with plans for a formal campaign rollout this spring and a May press conference to officially launch their bid. The strategy leans heavily on the Oakland Athletics' temporary stay in West Sacramento and a push for public-private financing that could reshape the Bridge District and nearby developments.

Why it matters

Landing an MLB expansion team would bring significant economic benefits to the Sacramento region, with the Greater Sacramento Economic Council estimating an annual impact of around $650 million. However, the steep costs of building a new stadium and competition from other western markets will make it a challenging endeavor unless local officials can secure committed ownership and a clear financing plan.

The details

Mayor Kevin McCarty said Sacramento is "making a real push" for an expansion franchise and warned that a new ballpark could cost "in excess of $1 billion." He and West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero plan to roll out a campaign this spring to position the Capital Region as a formal expansion contender. The Athletics are slated to play at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento for the 2025-27 seasons, effectively turning the region into a three-year audition to demonstrate its ability to support MLB long-term. West Sacramento already has a special taxing district that could support a public-private partnership to help fund a stadium, and officials are eyeing parcels near Sutter Health Park as possible long-term sites.

  • The Athletics are slated to play at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento for the 2025-27 seasons.
  • Sacramento and West Sacramento leaders plan to roll out a campaign this spring to position the Capital Region as a formal expansion contender.
  • The leaders plan a May news conference to formally launch the bid for an MLB expansion team.

The players

Kevin McCarty

The mayor of Sacramento who said the city is "making a real push" for an MLB expansion franchise.

Martha Guerrero

The mayor of West Sacramento who will join McCarty in rolling out the campaign this spring.

Rob Manfred

The current MLB Commissioner who is expected to step down in 2029, by which time the league could add two new teams.

Greater Sacramento Economic Council

An organization that has estimated an MLB expansion team could have an annual economic impact of around $650 million for the region.

Oakland Athletics

The MLB team that is slated to play at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento for the 2025-27 seasons while their Las Vegas stadium is being built.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.