MLB owners pushing expansion, realignment, and major media overhaul through 2031
Major League Baseball is weighing a sweeping set of structural changes that could reshape the sport by 2031, according to the report. League expansion to 32 teams is under consideration, with Salt Lake City and Nashville identified as the leading candidates for new franchises. Additional proposals include large-scale geographic realignment that could eliminate the traditional American and National League structure, new ballparks in Las Vegas, Tampa, and Kansas City, and a restructured national media rights strategy set to take full effect after current agreements expire following the 2028 season. Commissioner Rob Manfred, whose contract expires in early 2029 and who intends to retire at that point, also aims to bring all club local media rights under league-level control by 2028. Separately, owners have proposed a 154-game regular season, an expanded playoff field, a hard salary cap, and changes to free agency and the draft — though the players' union strongly opposes the salary cap, which could sink the schedule proposals as well.
Today, owners say, 'Explain to me how it's going to drive my business.' That's a very different mentality.
Why it matters
For brands: Expansion into Salt Lake City and Nashville, plus new ballparks in three markets, would open fresh sponsorship and partnership opportunities.
For media: A restructured national media rights portfolio and expanded playoff inventory could reshape broadcast deals across all major networks after 2028.
For athletes: Players face potential hard salary cap restrictions and changes to free agency and the draft that could significantly limit earning opportunities.
For collectives: League-level pooling of local media rights revenue, if implemented, would alter the financial landscape that informs player valuation and collective strategies.
Read the full story at Front Office Sports
Sources
- Front Office Sports · Eric Fisher: MLB’s Next 5 Years: Realignment, Expansion, and 154 Games?