Rory Moon
Rory Moon, Graphics Editor
The MLB Raleigh movement is a campaign created by Raleigh residents to show support for bringing a Major League Baseball team to the city and to place Raleigh in the League’s expansion conversation.
Raleigh competes with Charlotte to win possession of an MLB team in North Carolina. MLB Raleigh, a movement created by Raleigh locals, is used to discuss the differences between these two cities and highlights what makes Raleigh stand out.
Mike Walden, a distinguished professor emeritus in economics, said Raleigh is a prime economic candidate.
“[Raleigh] has a higher, what economists call, price-adjusted average income,” Walden said. “So we have a little stronger spending base here, which I think Major League Baseball owners would look at.”
Raleigh is an excellent contender because of per capita attendance, population and established MLB markets. Walden said these factors, on top of entertainment potential, are why Raleigh should be the leading competitor.
“So you look at the broader region and you say, okay, well maybe we’re going to draw 50% of the crowd from outside of Raleigh, some parts of the triangle,” Walden said. “You get new infusion of money, and then pay for entertainment for someone like me, maybe Major League Baseball games in my backyard, that would be great.”
Walden said that, along with economics, community is what makes the city stand out and people traveling to Raleigh for an MLB game hope to make an experience out of it.
Walden said they aren’t just coming for the game, but for the entertainment. Making a whole day out of the game by getting dinner before, or drinks after, and shopping in between are what tourists and residents enjoy most about local MLB.
“One of the big benefits for Raleigh is that it would put us on the map more. People like me who are big baseball fans would get to know the cities, the towns,” Walden said. “I think it would help Raleigh establish a reputation, some sort of a signature.”
Edwin Lindsay, associate teaching professor in the department of parks, recreation and tourism management, said similar remarks about MLB influencing the community of Raleigh.
“It’s always about access,” Lindsay said. “When you think about professional sporting opportunities, resources are needed to attend. To see television is one thing, but the actual experience of being there on game day is something else.”
Walden said the community and camaraderie surrounding MLB teams are important to the city and its identity as a whole.
“When you think about the idea of a professional baseball team coming to Raleigh specifically, or even North Carolina in general, there are so many opportunities for fans that don’t necessarily connect with some of the other sports,” Lindsay said. “I think the community will have an opportunity to claim and have ownership in a professional sports organization.”
Along with the community, businesses and students will also have more opportunities with the implementation of an MLB team in Raleigh. Lindsay said internships and tourism patterns have the potential to alter Raleigh’s identity.
“I just think of the opportunities that it provides for us as a state, as a community and particularly for me, I’m always thinking about my students,” Walden said. “Where are my students going to get this experience? It’s so invaluable to them. You know, think about the places that they work in, the things that they’re dreaming about doing. Having an organization like that in town, right in your back door, is really a dream come true.”