MLB Eyes Utah As A Serious Contender

What Curriculum Was MLB Using to Decide Utah Is a Top Expansion Contender?

Major League Baseball hasn’t expanded since 1998, but suddenly the league is acting like a substitute teacher who just discovered the class hamster escaped — scrambling, excited, and insisting everything is “under control.” And according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the two cities sitting at the top of MLB’s expansion homework assignment are Nashville and Salt Lake City

But why Utah?
What curriculum could MLB possibly be using to grade these cities?

After reviewing the reporting, the public statements, and the suspiciously enthusiastic renderings of future ballparks, we’ve reconstructed MLB’s syllabus.

Unit 1: “Show Your Work” — The Infrastructure Test

MLB seems to love a city that turns in its homework early — and Utah showed up with a 100‑acre, shovel‑ready stadium site, complete with airport access, light rail, and a Power District that sounds like it was named by a 12‑year‑old designing a video game map. KSL News

While other cities brought sketches and vibes, Utah brought a fully funded, bipartisan‑supported development plan worth $3.5 billion, courtesy of the Larry H. Miller Company.

Read More: Utah is Home to the High-Wire Elite

Unit 2: “Group Projects That Don’t Fall Apart” — The Coalition Requirement

MLB expansion bids often look like group projects where one kid does all the work and the others show up with snacks. But Utah’s “Big League Utah” coalition is the rare group project where everyone actually did the assignment — former MLB players, business leaders, politicians, and investors all aligned like a well‑run PTA.

Unit 3: “Real‑World Application” — Ownership & Operations

MLB loves proven ownership, and Utah’s bid comes with the Larry H. Miller Company, which has:

• Owned the Utah Jazz for 35 years
• Operated multiple sports franchises
• Built stadiums before without accidentally creating a sinkhole

Unit 4: “Extra Credit: Growth Mindset” — Demographics & Momentum

Salt Lake City has been called a sports boomtown and is gaining national attention for its rapid growth, young population, and ability to host major events.

And let's not forget, Utah just casually acquired an NHL team like St. George added another Costco, effortlessly and without drama.