Overview

• On ESPN’s Little League Classic broadcast, Commissioner Rob Manfred said adding two franchises would enable a shift to East and West divisions to cut player travel and sharpen TV scheduling
• He tied the realignment pitch directly to accelerated media-rights talks, highlighting cleaner regional matchups as a draw for ESPN, NBC/Peacock and Apple TV+
• Manfred reiterated his aim to identify two new team locations by 2029, citing strong demand in markets such as Nashville, Salt Lake City, Portland, Montreal and Charlotte
• League insiders caution that expansion and structural changes hinge on resolving the Oakland A’s and Tampa Bay Rays stadium issues and securing collective-bargaining approval
• Owners expect to conclude short-term broadcast deals in coming weeks while realignment remains a strategic centerpiece of MLB’s commercial overhaul