New optimism about possibility of bringing an MLB team to Raleigh

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — As the Carolina Hurricanes continue their run in the Stanley Cup Final, there’s renewed optimism this week about the potential of bringing a Major League Baseball team to Raleigh.

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Raleigh has been listed as a potential city for MLB expansion in recent years, including in articles published by Forbes and ESPN.

“I mean I think it’d be a great idea,” Raleigh resident Kelson Crocker said. “I grew up a Braves fan, but really haven’t had a great connection just because they’re so far away. There’s been enough people that have moved out here and I think it’d be a great idea. I’ve always been curious where it would go.”

North Carolina State University economics professor Michael Walden said, “Raleigh has gotten prominence, and the Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup certainly helps that, puts Raleigh out there as an area where major league sports can be successful.”

According to Raleigh Mayor Janet Cowell, Marc Lasry, former owner of the Milwaukee Bucks and investor in the NC Courage, has expressed interest in bringing a team to the Triangle.

Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon has also said he wants to bring baseball to North Carolina.

When asked about having the support of major sports investors and owners, Walden said “It’s key.”

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Walden has studied the potential impact of having an MLB team in the Triangle, projecting it would bring in $300 million in new economic activity each year.

“What you really want to do is attract new people, new spending to the area,” he said. “That’s really what economic impact is. I think an MLB team could do that and does do that pretty much in every region.”

North Carolina State Treasurer Brad Briner is also looking at the possibility, but what that could look like is unclear.

“As a citizen, as a fan of baseball, I’m really excited about the potential for MLB in Raleigh,” he said. “I’d love to see that happen. I think our city is growing, our state is growing, and it’s time MLB came to North Carolina.

“We’re going to get into the weeds on the finances of this,” he continued. “If we can make it work for the pension system to invest in something like that, we’d love to, but it’s going stick by the numbers and nothing else.”

Mayor Cowell said it’s her understanding that the city would need a financial plan and possible locations identified by next year to be seen as a serious candidate for expansion.

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