Utah has long been underestimated. When people imagine our state, they often think of mountains, families and faith — but not major league sports. That needs to change. Because Utah isn’t just ready for Major League Baseball. We’re ideal.
The Salt Lake–Provo–Orem corridor is home to nearly 3 million people, and it’s growing fast. Our economy is healthy, our tech sector is booming and our communities are deeply connected. That’s a rare combination — and Major League Baseball should take note.
A recent poll found that over 80% of Utahns support bringing an MLB team to the state. That’s not a casual “sure, why not?”—that’s the kind of overwhelming enthusiasm every league dreams of. And it’s not just theoretical. The Salt Lake Bees have drawn millions of fans over the years, even without the glamour or payroll of an MLB franchise. We show up. We care.
So why now?
Because we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to do this right. To create a franchise that reflects who we are and how we live. A team that’s built not just for profit, but for purpose.
Utah has already shown that professional sports can thrive here. The Jazz are beloved statewide. Real Salt Lake continue to punch above their weight in the MLS. The Mammoth have sprung out of the gate. And college sports dominate headlines and Saturdays. But baseball is different. It’s slower, deeper, more intergenerational. It’s about ritual and memory — things Utahns understand better than most.
A new team wouldn’t just bring games. It would bring jobs, civic pride and the kind of shared tradition that binds generations. Picture summer nights downtown. Picture family outings that don’t require a second mortgage. Picture a stadium designed for families, neighbors and newcomers alike — clean, safe, affordable and local.
We could even do something bolder: reimagine the idea of ownership. While MLB has traditionally resisted public or civic models, Utah is known for innovation. Why not explore a hybrid approach — anchored by private investment but open to community participation? A team that belongs to all of us, not just a boardroom.
We don’t need gimmicks. We need authenticity. Utah has it in abundance.
There will be doubters. Some will say we’re too small, or too conservative, or too far from baseball’s traditional strongholds. But so was Green Bay — and their publicly owned Packers are now one of the most iconic franchises in all of sports.
Others will raise concerns about altitude or April weather. Fair points — but solvable ones. Denver did it. So can we. Build a modern ballpark with shade and heating options. Embrace the Wasatch backdrop. Make it uniquely ours.
If MLB wants a franchise that isn’t just another big-city bet but a real partnership with a real place, Utah is the answer.
We’re not trying to copy anyone. We’re offering something new: a team rooted in community, backed by faith in one another and built for the long haul.
We believe in loyalty. We believe in family. We believe in shared effort and earned success. That’s what baseball is about. That’s what Utah is about.
We’re not just ready. We’re the right choice.
It’s time to bring it home.