Utah’s potential entry into Major League Baseball sparks excitement, but with considerations for the Salt Lake Bees and financial responsibilities, careful planning is essential.
The whispers of Utah being a prime candidate for an MLB expansion have grown louder with ESPN reporters favoring Salt Lake City as a potential new home for a major league team. While Utah would be a great home for a new MLB team, it’s important to consider the broader implications like financial gain, conflicts with pre-existing teams and the impact on the community, before making any final decision.
The state already boasts a flourishing sports scene with the NBA’s Utah Jazz and the successful Triple-A minor league baseball team, the Salt Lake Bees. The Bees have a dedicated fan base and have been a source of affordable, family-friendly entertainment for years. Introducing an MLB team could potentially overshadow the Bees, who have been an integral part of Utah’s sports culture.
When I was about 10 years old, I would go to the Smith’s Ballpark with my grandpa to watch the Salt Lake City Bees. At the time, I thought the Bee’s games were so exciting, and this was the biggest level of baseball there was. As I got older and went to an MLB game, I experienced the difference between a Triple-A and an MLB team. At the Bee’s games, it felt like the game was for the locals since it was catered to the fans and the community. For an MLB game, it felt as if all anyone cared about was if money was being made.
According to an article by Deseret News, The Larry H. Miller Company will be building a new ballpark for the Bees, and the CEO of the Miller company, Steve Starks, said having a Triple-A team and an MLB team in the same county could be beneficial.
Starks said having a Triple-A team 22 miles from the major league team would provide a competitive edge in player development and allow them to adapt to the team’s culture. Additionally, he noted that this would offer fans the chance to witness upcoming athletes in action at the minor league level and then follow their journey to the majors as they get promoted.
Coming from a former athlete’s perspective, having a major league team in the state that I’m from would have motivated and pushed me to work harder. This would have given me the hope of one day being able to play for that major league team.
Because of this, an MLB team in Utah could offer exciting opportunities for local talent. College baseball players in Utah may find increased chances to make it to the big leagues if an MLB team were to be established in the state. This could also stimulate interest in baseball at the college level and inspire more young athletes to pursue careers in the sport.
Throughout Utah’s history, there have been 42 athletes to come out of Utah to play in the MLB. With a team in Utah, hopefully, that number would increase.
After growing up near Salt Lake City, I’ve noticed that there isn’t much room downtown for a new stadium. The Bees are relocating to a new stadium in South Jordan, which is about 20 miles from downtown Salt Lake. The idea of having an MLB team coming to Utah would be cool, but the expansion of a new stadium would need to be located first.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox and other officials are expressing their support for this effort, and the Miller family, longtime owners of the Utah Jazz, are actively involved in the bid.
Other local leaders and officials like Erin Mendenhall, mayor of Salt Lake City, and Jenny Wilson, mayor of Salt Lake County, are interested in the potential expansion as well. They said Salt Lake City is well-prepared for the MLB’s arrival due to the broad community support and a robust local economy.
Additionally, bringing MLB to Utah might provide an economic boost for the state. With games being a significant source of revenue, local businesses, bars, restaurants and hotels could see increased traffic and revenue. Tourism might also experience an upswing as baseball fans from across the nation travel to Utah to visit and support their teams.
According to an article by Big League Utah, Utah would be a good candidate for an MLB expansion due to it being one of the fastest-growing states with the youngest population. Utah is in the top 30 for media marketing and is consistently in the top three for NBA local TV ratings. Utah outperforms other markets in both ticketing and sponsorship revenue, along with being No. 1 for job growth.
Careful consideration, thorough planning and community engagement are vital before making a decision. If handled properly, an MLB team in Utah could be a win-win situation, offering more opportunities for local players, boosting the economy and providing fans with top-tier baseball entertainment.
