The Oakland Rays' potential move to Oakland in 2024 faces significant challenges due to set schedules. Teams planning to fly into Tampa Bay and then to a nearby destination often face difficulties, especially when doubleheaders are no longer scheduled. The Rays need to be in the eastern time zone and preferably in the south. The Oakland and Tampa Bay situations have been poor for the past 7-10 years. The idea of MLB expanding to two more franchises with 8 divisions and 4 teams each poses problems with three time zones. Moreover, MLB is looking to expand to cities with large growth in the past 10-20 years, but not all new fans will sign up for season tickets. Technology has changed the way fans consume sports. Through streaming services, fans in Nashville can watch their former teams' games at home for a fraction of the cost. In Oakland, the Rays only drew well when they had World Series teams. LV and the Rays may not have high attendance regardless of the location. Expanding into new markets in the continental US may not draw well. The best expansion areas could be Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, where people love the game. However, major league game prices are expensive, and franchises in these areas may have lower payrolls. Without full revenue sharing like other professional team sports, MLB is slowly suffocating itself. If the next expansion happens, existing franchises will share billion-dollar fees, but there will be a crash later.

Unraveling the Complexities of MLB's Expansion Plans

Schedule Constraints and Team Mobility

The set schedules have made it nearly impossible for the Rays to move to Oakland in 2024. Teams that typically fly into Tampa Bay and then to a close destination find themselves stuck. This lack of flexibility in scheduling affects the Rays' plans and highlights the importance of being in the right time zone. The Oakland and Tampa Bay situations have been stagnant for years, and these schedule constraints only add to the complexity.Doubleheaders, which used to be a common occurrence, are no longer scheduled. This means teams have less time to rest and recover between games, which can have a significant impact on their performance. The Rays need a home that allows them to play in the eastern time zone and preferably in the south to be competitive.

Expansion Challenges and Market Dynamics

The idea of expanding MLB to two more franchises with 8 divisions and 4 teams each brings with it a host of challenges. With three time zones involved, coordinating games and travel becomes a major issue. MLB is looking to expand to cities that have experienced large growth in the past 10-20 years, but not all new fans are willing to commit to season tickets.Technology has played a significant role in changing the way fans consume sports. Streaming services have made it easier for fans in Nashville and other areas to watch their former teams' games at home. This has led to a decrease in attendance at live games, as fans can now enjoy the action from the comfort of their own homes.In Oakland, the Rays' success was tied to having World Series teams. When those teams were no longer competitive, the fans returned to the Giants. This shows the importance of having a strong team to attract and retain fans.

Expansion Areas and Financial Considerations

Expanding into new markets in the continental US may not be as lucrative as expected. While cities like Nashville have seen growth, not all new fans are willing to pay high prices for season tickets. In addition, major league game prices have increased, making it difficult for fans in areas like Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic to attend games regularly.These areas have a passion for the game, but their economic situations may not allow them to support high-priced franchises. Franchises in these areas would have lower payrolls compared to American small market teams, which could affect their competitiveness.Without full revenue sharing like other professional team sports, MLB is facing financial difficulties. If the next expansion happens, existing franchises will have to share billion-dollar fees with newcomers. This may provide temporary satisfaction, but it could lead to a crash in the future as the league becomes sicker than before.