What happened: Major League Baseball is reviewing city candidates for its next two expansion franchises following the resolution of stadium issues in Tampa Bay and Oakland. The league intends to add one team on the West Coast and one on the East Coast. Early contenders include Salt Lake City, Raleigh, Nashville, Portland, Montreal, and Orlando.

Why it matters: Expansion represents the league's primary strategic priority before Commissioner Rob Manfred retires in January 2029. Viable bids require a strong ownership group, secured funding, and a finalized stadium site. Salt Lake City and Raleigh have advanced in the process by meeting those core structural criteria.

What to watch: League executives expect to form formal expansion committees in the coming year to evaluate bids. The next collective bargaining agreement will dictate the official timeline and franchise entry fees.