Quote:
Originally Posted by Marvland
Thankfully that's not how these things work. It takes a rich person, or a group of rich people, the money and the desire. We have a lot of new rich people here who bring in lots of other rich people from other markets now. I've said since they added Wade that this is a multiple franchise ownership group. They proved that right last week, partnering with the owner of the 76ers. No reason that group couldn't expand and bring an MLB or hockey franchise or NFL (there I said it).
On locations, I really think at the actual State Fairpark is the answer. Mostly because the state would practically give the land away, as it's totally under utilized. The parking lot on the NW side of that site is 14 clear and easy acres. They already own the White Ballfield props across North Temple (mixed use and parking) and the "Ski Truck" slice on the west side of the river. Add in transit access, a pedestrian bridge over North Temple, the proposed night market and concert possibilities, river programming it's a slam dunk. I sit on an advisory committee for some Fairpark stuff and have talked to people who know way more than me and I'll just say that it's doable. Smith's field is about 9 acres for reference. The Fleet block could work as well as it's about 10 acres, including some minor assemblage on the SW corner of that block. Fleet block would be nice to use as a path to finally kill the stupid 900 S. offramp and lead the freeway exit directly onto 400 West with future Trax access.
Again, no matter what anybody tells you or whatever stats they throw out, SLC/Valley can support another major league team or two. I think it would really shine as a baseball town. Imagine the Wasatch with changing colors in September as the backdrop. Drool.
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It's exactly how it works. That's why you don't see more franchises popping up in smaller markets like Louisville and Memphis, despite there always being a level of interest to relocate a specific team there (beyond the Grizzlies moving from Vancouver to Memphis a couple decades ago - and the NBA is probably best fit for smaller markets ... way more than any other sport with the NHL the next fit).
Ultimately, your last point is irrelevant. Salt Lake could support two pro franchises - but whether they'd support them well is a completely different story.
Is Salt Lake going to support a MLB team that is a perennial loser more than those other cities? It's a legitimate question to ask. Why? Because Salt Lake absolutely would not be a destination market for MLB talent, so you'd have to have an owner willing to pay out the ass to bring in some level of talent here to even be competitive and I am not sure Salt Lake has that type of billionaire.
THAT'S where Salt Lake becomes a problematic expansion candidate. We see first hand how hard it is to convince players to sign with the Jazz (and we're talking about through free agency). Sure, they've drafted well but does anyone really think Donovan Mitchell is going to finish his career in Utah? I'd not be shocked if he doesn't even re-signs with the Jazz. And that's just 15 players the Jazz have to convince to come play in Salt Lake City. A MLB team? MLB teams can have 40 under control. The NFL? 53 players.
It becomes increasingly difficult to build a contending roster in the MLB and NFL playing in a city no one wants to relocate to - and it's double bad because there would be zero tradition for Salt Lake, something that cities like Kansas City and Green Bay can at least point to. We're essentially hit with the double-whammy, maybe the least liked pro city in all of sports and a new franchise with no roots whatsoever that can convince those fence-sitting players to come play here (which the Jazz actually can provide).
Finally, baseball in Salt Lake has become an afterthought. I know it's not an apples to apples comparison, but there was a time where the Buzz/Stinger were one of the top draws in minor league baseball.
That isn't the case anymore.
In 2019, the Bees ranked 8th (out of 16) in the PCL in attendance and 19th in the minor league.
Other cities higher on the expansion list than Salt Lake drew larger crowds, including Vegas (1st in all of minor league), Nashville (3rd) and Charlotte (6th overall in minor league).
Salt Lake isn't going to get a MLB/NFL team for a good while - maybe not in our lifetime.
Again, no matter what anybody tells you.