San Antonio, August 29, 2025
News Summary
San Antonio is expressing interest in securing a Major League Baseball (MLB) expansion team. However, experts are urging caution due to concerns regarding the city’s corporate revenue base, stadium capacity, and local fan economics. San Antonio, being the second-largest city in Texas with a significant metro population, is exploring collaborative opportunities with nearby Austin to boost its chances. The feasibility of meeting MLB’s requirements is currently under scrutiny, and local advocacy efforts, such as Project Marvel, are gaining momentum.
San Antonio
Experts are urging caution about San Antonio’s bid to secure a Major League Baseball (MLB) expansion team, citing concerns over the city’s corporate revenue base, stadium capacity, and local fan economics despite public interest and efforts to pursue a franchise.
Top-line developments
MLB leadership has signaled interest in growing the league to 32 teams before the current commissioner retires in 2029, putting several U.S. cities on a watch list. San Antonio, the second-largest city in Texas with a metro population of approximately 2,655,342, is among those under consideration. The city already hosts multiple professional teams, including the NBA’s Spurs, the UFL’s Brahmas, and USL’s San Antonio FC, and is exploring options that could combine resources with nearby Austin, roughly 90 minutes away.
Why experts are cautious
Industry analysts and feasibility reviewers point to three primary challenges that weaken San Antonio’s immediate viability for MLB expansion:
- Corporate sponsorship limits: San Antonio is viewed as lacking a sufficiently large corporate base to generate the high-value revenue streams that MLB teams typically rely on, such as lucrative stadium naming rights and sales of premium suites.
- Stadium size and design: The recently built minor league stadium’s design and location are judged too small to meet MLB standards without major reconstruction or replacement, which would require substantial public and private financing.
- Fan market economics: While the city has a strong general fan presence, experts note that the pool of residents with the disposable income needed for season-ticket commitments and premium seating is smaller relative to other candidate markets.
Local and regional dynamics
Efforts to attract MLB interest include proposals that would link San Antonio with Austin, creating a broader regional market. Austin is one of the largest U.S. markets without an MLB team, and a combined strategy could address some market-size concerns. However, the cities are about 90 minutes apart, raising logistical and fan-identity questions that would need resolution.
San Antonio’s media market is positioned between San Diego and Kansas City nationally, a factor that shapes broadcast and sponsorship appeal. Local activists are promoting Project Marvel, with plans for a public demonstration on Labor Day aimed at building visible grassroots support for bringing a major-league team to the region.
Competitive and structural obstacles
Other obstacles noted by experts include market overlap with established teams, particularly the Houston Astros, whose regional reach could reduce San Antonio’s exclusivity and revenue potential. In comparison, other cities often named as stronger expansion contenders include Charlotte, Nashville, Montreal, and Portland, each offering different advantages in corporate support, stadium infrastructure, or regional fit.
Where things stand and next steps
Interest in expansion remains significant across MLB and among several U.S. cities, but San Antonio’s path is being assessed with caution. Key next steps identified by analysts and local stakeholders include:
- Conducting a detailed market and revenue feasibility study focused on corporate sponsorship, ticket demand, and premium-seat sales.
- Evaluating whether the existing minor league stadium can be expanded or whether a new stadium would be needed, and estimating the likely cost and funding mix.
- Exploring formal collaboration frameworks with Austin to test a regional-market model and assess fan engagement across both cities.
- Building demonstrable local support through organized advocacy and public events while securing anchor corporate partners.
Context on MLB expansion interest
MLB leadership’s stated openness to growth toward a 32-team structure establishes a window for potential expansion decisions before the commissioner’s planned retirement in 2029. Multiple cities are being evaluated nationally, but experts stress that successful expansion requires a combination of market size, local corporate commitments, stadium readiness, and a demonstrable ability to convert local fandom into sustained premium-ticket revenues.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Metro population | Approximately 2,655,342 |
| Existing professional teams | NBA Spurs; UFL Brahmas; USL San Antonio FC |
| Media market | Ranked between San Diego and Kansas City nationally |
| Stadium status | Current minor league stadium considered too small for MLB without major changes |
| Primary revenue concerns | Corporate naming rights, luxury suites, season-ticket base |
| Regional options | Possible collaboration with Austin (about 90 minutes away) |
| Local advocacy | Project Marvel rally planned for Labor Day |
Timeline of recent and planned events
| Date/Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| By 2029 | MLB leadership interest in expanding to 32 teams | Open window for expansion consideration |
| Labor Day (upcoming) | Project Marvel public demonstration | Planned local advocacy event |
| Current / Ongoing | Feasibility analyses and expert cautionary assessments | Active evaluation by analysts and local stakeholders |
Simple visual charts
Existing professional teams (count)
Metro population
FAQ
Is San Antonio currently guaranteed an MLB expansion team?
No. Experts and feasibility reviewers advise caution and identify gaps in corporate revenue, stadium capacity, and season-ticket market that make immediate franchise approval unlikely without significant changes.
What are the main factors limiting San Antonio’s MLB prospects?
Key limiting factors include an assessed insufficiency in the local corporate base to support naming rights and suite revenues, the minor league stadium being too small for MLB standards, and a smaller pool of local fans with the disposable income needed for premium season-ticket commitments.
Could a partnership with Austin improve San Antonio’s chances?
Potentially. Austin represents a large regional market without an MLB team, so a combined approach could increase market reach. Practical issues remain, including the cities’ distance from each other and how fans would engage with a regional franchise model.
When might MLB make expansion decisions?
MLB leadership has expressed interest in exploring expansion toward 32 teams before the commissioner’s planned retirement in 2029, creating a multi-year window for feasibility work and potential decisions.
What local actions are underway to support a bid?
Local activists are organizing under initiatives such as Project Marvel and plan public demonstrations to show grassroots support. Feasibility studies and outreach to potential corporate partners are additional steps being discussed.
Which other cities are being considered for MLB expansion?
Other cities often mentioned as serious candidates include Charlotte, Nashville, Montreal, and Portland, each offering its own mix of corporate capacity, stadium options, and market characteristics.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
San Antonio’s MLB Expansion Hopes Face Challenges
Additional Resources
- San Antonio Current
- Wikipedia: Major League Baseball Expansion
- Fox Sports
- Google Search: MLB Expansion Cities
- LA Times
- Google Scholar: MLB Expansion Plans
- BetMGM Sports
- Encyclopedia Britannica: MLB Expansion
- Houston Chronicle
- Google News: MLB Expansion
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
