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CHICAGO – The newly created BBR or Business of Baseball Review, a semi-monthly magazine that profiles the sport and the business surrounding it, have complied a list of ten potential expansion sites. Though there has been talk of expansion by any officials connected to Major League Baseball, the review said that “baseball is a fertile sport that could easily sustain more teams,” said Editor Adam McGraw.

The cities were ranked for population, economic growth prospects, entertainment competition, potential fan base and media market size. Previous reports have stated the NY Metropolitian area could sustain four teams and the report concurred, saying that the area could actually sustain two more teams, citing Brooklyn (1) and Northern New Jersey (4) in the top ten.

Other cities were: 2) Charlotte 3) Portland 5) Indianapolis 6) Boston 7) San Antonio 8) Mexico City 9) Davenport, IA 10) Vancouver

The report was met with skepticism by some. Boston Red Sox ownership scoffed at the notion the city would support another team. “The Red Sox have the hearts and minds of this faithful town and region. With a team in Hartford, New England fans are well satiated on the fix of baseball. We don’t need another team here.”

Portland was selected by the Oakland A’s as their destination of choice, pending the approval of the owners this winter. Brooklyn is also on the list of potential sites for a National League team that is mulling a move. With the proliferation of new stadiums, most teams have not considered seriously moving.

Thus, the only way to expand baseball to fertile markets like Mexico City is expansion. The players union supports expansion because of the created jobs, but again, ownership is mum. When a new commissioner is chosen, this will hasten the decision process.