Overview

• Speaking on ESPN’s Little League Classic broadcast, the commissioner linked adding two franchises to a region‑based reorganization that could diminish the current American and National League setup.
• Manfred said grouping clubs by geography could cut player travel and create cleaner late‑night postseason slots for broadcasters, framing the changes as a scheduling and media play.
• Media and team sites outlined models such as eight four‑team divisions and conference formats that could pair city rivals (Yankees–Mets, Cubs–White Sox, Dodgers–Angels) and reshape traditional matchups.
• Pushback has surfaced from traditionalists and broadcasters, with Mets voice Howie Rose warning that AL and NL identities could effectively vanish under the concept.
• No formal plan, owner vote, timeline, or city selections have been announced, though frequently mentioned markets include Nashville, Charlotte, Portland, Salt Lake City, Montreal, Raleigh‑Durham and Orlando, and some observers note owners may resist if new divisions reduce their teams’ chances to win.