Portland's MLB Aspirations: Mayor-Elect Keith Wilson Optimistic

Portland Mayor-Elect Keith Wilson is expressing optimism about the city's chances of securing a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise in the near future. During a recent appearance on a local television show, Wilson shared his confidence, stating, "I'd say this is as close as we've come. We feel confident it's down to us and one other city. And we're making a solid play," as reported by The Oregonian.

Potential Competitors
While Wilson did not specify which other city is in contention, Nashville is widely considered a strong candidate. Portland's ambition to join the MLB ranks is not new. The Portland Diamond Project (PDP) has been actively pursuing a team since at least 2019. In September, the PDP announced plans to purchase property at Zidell Yards on the South Waterfront to build a stadium.

Vision for the Future
PDP founder and president Craig Cheek has long envisioned a transformative ballpark for Portland. "With the trends that we're seeing, like with the Battery in Atlanta, these ballparks can truly be transformational for a bigger idea than just baseball," Cheek told CBS Sports five years ago.

MLB Expansion Plans
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has indicated a desire to begin the expansion process before his term ends in 2029. However, he has also emphasized the need to resolve the situations with the Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays before moving forward with expansion.

The Athletics are in the process of relocating from Oakland to Sacramento this winter, with plans to eventually settle in Las Vegas. The Rays' situation remains unresolved, posing ongoing challenges for MLB.

Historical Context
​MLB has not expanded since 1998, when the league introduced the Rays and the Arizona Diamondbacks, bringing the total number of teams to 30. As Portland continues its efforts, the city's leadership and the PDP remain hopeful that their vision will soon become a reality.