MLB to PDX: Oregon Passes $800M in Privately-held Funding for Stadium & MLB Expansion Updates

Big news is coming out of the Pacific Northwest as Oregon makes a decisive move to bring Major League Baseball (MLB) to Portland. Senate Bill 110 (SB 110) has passed the Oregon House with overwhelming support and is now awaiting the governor's signature. This legislation authorizes up to $800 million in privately-held bonds to fund a new MLB stadium, marking one of the most significant milestones in the Portland Diamond Project’s push to land an MLB expansion franchise.

Meanwhile, Salt Lake City continues to present strong competition as the other leading candidate for MLB expansion in the western United States. With two ambitious cities vying for the coveted MLB expansion slots, the race is heating up. Let’s dive deep into the details of Senate Bill 110, the proposed stadium site, the funding mechanism using player income taxes, and how Portland stacks up against Salt Lake City in this exciting MLB expansion saga.

Senate Bill 110: A Game-Changer for Portland’s MLB Future

On June 17th, Oregon’s House passed Senate Bill 110 with a commanding vote of 46-6, following earlier approval in the Senate by a 24-5 margin. The bill now awaits the signature of Governor Tina Kotek, which is expected soon. SB 110 is a strategic funding mechanism designed to finance an MLB stadium in Portland by authorizing up to $800 million in privately-held bonds.

The unique aspect of this financing plan lies in its use of the so-called “jock tax” revenue. This refers to the income taxes collected from players, coaches, and team staff who come to Oregon to participate in games. Specifically, the income tax Oregon collects on earnings of visiting and home team personnel during their games will be earmarked into a dedicated fund used to repay the stadium bonds over a projected 30-year period.

To clarify, the “jock tax” is not an additional tax burden on Oregon residents; rather, it leverages the existing state income tax that applies to athletes and staff earning income while physically in Oregon. Since Washington State has no state income tax, Oregon’s 9.9% tax on taxable income over $125,000 (which professional athletes easily exceed) creates a reliable revenue stream. For example, if Seattle Mariners’ star Julio Rodriguez plays a game in Portland, the income he earns for that game is taxed at 9.9%, and that tax directly contributes to paying off the stadium bonds.

This is a long-term investment for Oregon. The state is willing to forgo this jock tax revenue for the first 30 years to pay off the bonds. Once the bonds are fully repaid, all future jock tax income will flow directly into the state’s coffers, representing a substantial new revenue source. Importantly, if Portland does not secure an MLB expansion franchise, these bonds will not be triggered, and taxpayers will bear no liability.

Portland’s Proposed Stadium: Zidell Yards on the South Waterfront

The Portland Diamond Project, the organization spearheading the MLB bid, has secured a purchase agreement for a prime 33-acre site at Zidell Yards on Portland’s South Waterfront. This location offers excellent public transit access, beautiful riverfront views, and ample space for a modern stadium and surrounding development.

Already, global stadium architects have been hired to create renderings and designs for the venue, demonstrating serious intent and progress. The passage of SB 110 also replaces a 2003 stadium funding law that capped public contributions at $150 million, an amount far below the cost of building a contemporary MLB stadium. The new $800 million authorization better aligns with the realities of modern stadium construction costs.

For context, the 2003 law was originally designed to help bring the Montreal Expos to Portland, but the franchise eventually relocated to Washington, D.C., becoming the Nationals in 2005. Now, with this new legislation, the Portland Diamond Project has a much stronger legislative and financial foundation to pursue MLB expansion.

The Financial Realities of MLB Expansion

While the stadium financing plan is a crucial piece, the overall cost to bring a new MLB franchise to Portland remains staggering. The expansion fee alone is expected to exceed $2 billion per team. Additionally, the cost of constructing a state-of-the-art stadium is projected to surpass $2 billion as well. These figures underscore the massive financial commitment required from ownership groups and public-private partnerships alike.

On a personal note, as a full-time mortgage lender licensed across Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, and Arizona, I appreciate how critical financing is—not just for stadiums but for individuals and families looking to secure homes. For sports fans and athletes interested in homeownership on the West Coast, I’m here to help navigate those financial journeys. But back to baseball—these large financial commitments are part of what makes MLB expansion such a complex and high-stakes endeavor.

Salt Lake City vs. Portland: The Western Expansion Race

While Portland is gaining momentum, Salt Lake City remains a formidable contender in the MLB expansion race. The Salt Lake City group, known as Big League Utah, is led by the Larry H. Miller Company and supported by former MLB star Dale Murphy. They have secured a 100-acre site in the city’s Power District, released stadium renderings, and developed a financial plan involving approximately $900 million in public improvements funded by local taxes.

In 2023, MLB insider Buster Olney suggested that Nashville and Salt Lake City were the front-runners for expansion franchises. However, since then, Portland’s progress, especially with the passage of SB 110, has shifted the dynamics. Salt Lake’s pitch was previously considered the most prepared, but Portland’s legislative victories and site control have brought significant momentum to the Pacific Northwest.

MLB Expansion: The Bigger Picture and Timeline

Commissioner Rob Manfred has made MLB expansion a top priority before his planned retirement at the end of 2028. He has publicly stated his desire to add two new teams with play beginning around 2030 or 2031. The list of cities vying for expansion includes Salt Lake City, Portland, Nashville, Charlotte, Montreal, Sacramento, Austin, and Las Vegas.

Some of these markets have already seen recent developments: the Oakland Athletics are relocating temporarily to Sacramento while their new stadium in Las Vegas is under construction, effectively removing Las Vegas from the expansion list as a brand-new market. Additionally, an ownership group in Florida is looking to purchase the Tampa Bay Rays and potentially relocate the team to Orlando, meaning Orlando may also get a team without expansion.

From my perspective, Nashville seems like a near certainty for the eastern expansion slot, driven by its rapid growth and vibrant cultural scene. For the western expansion, it’s now essentially a showdown between Portland and Salt Lake City. Personally, I’m excited about the prospect of an I-5 rivalry between the Seattle Mariners and a Portland-based MLB team. Such a rivalry could energize the region, potentially motivating Mariners’ ownership to invest more heavily in competing for a World Series.

It’s worth noting that MLB hasn’t expanded since 1998, when the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Rays joined the league. Prior to that, the Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins were added in 1993. The upcoming expansion would mark a significant moment in MLB history.

What’s Next for Portland and MLB Expansion?

The immediate next step is Governor Kotek signing SB 110, which will lock in the stadium financing plan. Following that, the Portland Diamond Project will likely announce an official ownership group and work to secure additional funding beyond the public bonds.

Beyond stadium funding, Portland still has work to do to convince MLB of its viability as an expansion city. MLB will continue its evaluation process, considering expansion fees, ownership structures, city markets, and stadium readiness. The decision on which cities receive franchises is expected around 2026 or 2027, with stadiums ready for play by 2030 or 2031.

For fans of the Pacific Northwest and baseball lovers everywhere, it’s an exciting time. Whether you’re rooting for Portland to finally bring a second MLB team to the region or impressed by Salt Lake City’s ambitious plans, one thing is clear: Major League Baseball expansion is on the horizon. It’s no longer a question of if, but where.

Final Thoughts

Oregon’s passage of Senate Bill 110 represents a bold and strategic step toward bringing MLB to Portland. By leveraging the unique “jock tax” mechanism, the state has crafted an innovative funding solution that minimizes risk to taxpayers while enabling a world-class stadium project. With site control at Zidell Yards, architectural plans underway, and political momentum building, Portland is positioning itself as a serious contender in the MLB expansion race.

Meanwhile, Salt Lake City’s Big League Utah group remains a strong competitor, with substantial land secured and a detailed funding plan. As Commissioner Manfred pushes for two new teams by 2030, cities like Portland and Salt Lake City stand ready to meet the challenge.

For those of us who love baseball and the Pacific Northwest, this is a thrilling chapter in the region’s sports story. Whether you’re planning to cheer on a Portland MLB team or make the trip to Salt Lake City for opening day in 2031, the future of baseball in the west is bright.

Which city do you think deserves the next MLB team? Would you travel to Portland or Salt Lake City to witness the inaugural game? Share your thoughts and let’s keep the conversation going.