Sacramento-area leaders launch effort for MLB expansion team; $1.8B in funding secured for 50-acre stadium site
Updated: 11:26 AM PDT May 28, 2026
Sacramento-area leaders on Thursday formally announced plans to pursue a Major League Baseball expansion team, saying that $1.8 billion in funding has been secured as part of “The Sacramento Pitch.”The campaign aims to construct a new ballpark on a 50-acre site in West Sacramento in the Bridge District. The mixed-use development would also offer retail, housing and restaurants. A rendering of the possible new ballpark was released during Thursday’s press conference. “We are ready to compete for a permanent MLB team,” West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero said. “What excites me most about this vision is what it could mean for the future of our city. For years, we had envisioned the Bridge District as a vibrant, waterfront destination where people can live, work and gather. And that it has become.”(Video below: West Sacramento mayor: ‘We are ready to compete for a permanent MLB team’)The project plans for $800 million in land and private investment and $1 billion from the city of West Sacramento through tax increment financing, existing hotel taxes and additional sources, according to a press release.Mark Friedman, founder and chairman of Fulcrum Property and Board Chair of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, said that the private funding will come from the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians and the United Auburn Indian community. (Video below: Sacramento’s pitch for MLB expansion | ‘We have the money’)Leaders said that the Sacramento region was underserved as a major league sports market with only one permanent Big 5 professional team. The region of nearly 2.7 million people has grown about 10% over the past decade, outpacing the state and nation. (Video below: Sacramento’s pitch for MLB | ‘We’re going to set the tone’)A new organization called The Sacramento Pitch will lead the efforts to secure an expansion team. Those on the steering committee include: Chair, Mark Friedman, Founder and Chairman, Fulcrum Property GroupHonorary Co-Chair, Martha Guerrero, Mayor of West SacramentoHonorary Co-Chair, Kevin McCarty, Mayor of SacramentoDusty Baker, Sacramento native and World Series Champion player and managerBarry Broome, President & CEO of the Greater Sacramento Economic CouncilRegina Cuellar, Chairwoman, Shingle Springs Band of Miwok IndiansDerrek Lee, Sacramento native and former Major League Baseball playerWest Sacramento Mayor Pro Tem, District 4 Verna Sulpizio HullMatina Kolokotronis, COO, Sacramento KingsKevin McClatchy, Chairman of McClatchy and former owner of the Pittsburgh PiratesMike Testa, President & CEO, Visit SacramentoJohn Williams, Chairman, United Auburn Indian CommunitySacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty said the expansion effort “won’t be easy” and likened what’s ahead to being a “marathon, not a sprint.” “One thing is certain,” he said. “Sacramento is MLB-ready.”(Video below: ‘This is a Major League city’ | Derrek Lee’s words on MLB expansion bid for Sacramento.)Fan weigh region’s chances before the historic announcement Some fans said ahead of the announcement they were optimistic Sacramento could support a franchise.“I’m really excited to hear that, and I hope it’s successful,” Janet Kurtz-Puga said.At a midweek A’s game, some pointed to the crowd as evidence of local support.“Take a look around. It’s Wednesday afternoon, and it’s packed. It’s not even a weekend, so it kind of looks like it to me,” Rob Sims said.Others said the region’s growth could help make a team viable.“Right now it’s just a growing region,” Brian Kurtz said. “And if we can support it, the biggest ticket we need, you know, more businesses to come. And I think that really makes it work.”Fans also said a Sacramento team would need to offer a strong on-field product.“If you get someone fun on the field, I’m not a huge baseball person, but I’m here,” Joshua Sims said.Chris Rolling said Sacramento appears positioned for bigger things, but added a major league setup would require more than the current ballpark can offer.“I think there’s a lot of big things up there in Sacramento,” Rolling said. “I think they’d have to make it a little bigger than this. But yeah, I think that’d be cool.”Not everyone was convinced the region is ready.“I’m sorry. No, no, I’m really not, because I’m really kind of disappointed at the turnout of the games that I’ve gone to,” Patrick Shepherd said. “I think we kind of blew it.”As fans waited for the formal announcement, many already had ideas about what they want from a future team and stadium.“Shade for sure,” Kurtz-Puga said, noting the challenge of sitting through day games in the heat.Michael Fleming said he would like to see “an organist someday” playing during games, while Sims said the team must “be competitive and just come out and be competitive. People will show up.”Rolling said affordability should also be part of the conversation.“More affordable prices so fans can enjoy it,” he said.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel | Make KCRA a preferred news source in Google
Sacramento-area leaders on Thursday formally announced plans to pursue a Major League Baseball expansion team, saying that $1.8 billion in funding has been secured as part of “The Sacramento Pitch.”
The campaign aims to construct a new ballpark on a 50-acre site in West Sacramento in the Bridge District. The mixed-use development would also offer retail, housing and restaurants.
A rendering of the possible new ballpark was released during Thursday’s press conference.
“We are ready to compete for a permanent MLB team,” West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero said. “What excites me most about this vision is what it could mean for the future of our city. For years, we had envisioned the Bridge District as a vibrant, waterfront destination where people can live, work and gather. And that it has become.”
(Video below: West Sacramento mayor: ‘We are ready to compete for a permanent MLB team’)
The project plans for $800 million in land and private investment and $1 billion from the city of West Sacramento through tax increment financing, existing hotel taxes and additional sources, according to a press release.
Mark Friedman, founder and chairman of Fulcrum Property and Board Chair of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, said that the private funding will come from the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians and the United Auburn Indian community.
(Video below: Sacramento’s pitch for MLB expansion | ‘We have the money’)
Leaders said that the Sacramento region was underserved as a major league sports market with only one permanent Big 5 professional team. The region of nearly 2.7 million people has grown about 10% over the past decade, outpacing the state and nation.
(Video below: Sacramento’s pitch for MLB | ‘We’re going to set the tone’)
A new organization called The Sacramento Pitch will lead the efforts to secure an expansion team. Those on the steering committee include:
- Chair, Mark Friedman, Founder and Chairman, Fulcrum Property Group
- Honorary Co-Chair, Martha Guerrero, Mayor of West Sacramento
- Honorary Co-Chair, Kevin McCarty, Mayor of Sacramento
- Dusty Baker, Sacramento native and World Series Champion player and manager
- Barry Broome, President & CEO of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council
- Regina Cuellar, Chairwoman, Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians
- Derrek Lee, Sacramento native and former Major League Baseball player
- West Sacramento Mayor Pro Tem, District 4 Verna Sulpizio Hull
- Matina Kolokotronis, COO, Sacramento Kings
- Kevin McClatchy, Chairman of McClatchy and former owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates
- Mike Testa, President & CEO, Visit Sacramento
- John Williams, Chairman, United Auburn Indian Community
Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty said the expansion effort “won’t be easy” and likened what’s ahead to being a “marathon, not a sprint.”
“One thing is certain,” he said. “Sacramento is MLB-ready.”
(Video below: ‘This is a Major League city’ | Derrek Lee’s words on MLB expansion bid for Sacramento.)
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel | Make KCRA a preferred news source in Google