Commentary: As MLB proposes salary cap, Sacramento pursues team it might not be able to afford

Sacramento promoted a bid to attract a Major League Baseball expansion team, featuring a $4-billion proposal for a riverfront ballpark and an entertainment district. The campaign aims to secure a team after collective bargaining and likely after new media rights deals in 2028. MLB owners in New York formally proposed a salary cap that players have vowed to resist. The ability to implement a cap depends on negotiations or, more likely, on canceling games next spring so players go unpaid. The outcome of collective bargaining could determine the fee MLB charges for each expansion team. MLB has never had a salary cap, and a prior attempt in 1994 led to a players’ strike and an unplayed World Series. MLB argues payroll disparities require a cap, citing luxury tax payments and a large payroll gap between top and lowest payroll teams.

"“This region has earned its place in the majors,” Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty said Thursday. “And, frankly, MLB could use Sacramento.” We'll see. But, as McCarty and other dignitaries rallied in Sacramento, a more important gathering was happening in New York, at which MLB owners formally proposed the salary cap players have vowed to resist."

"Whether owners can get a cap - either by persuasion through the fall and winter, or more likely by canceling games next spring so players go unpaid - remains to be seen. For Sacramento and the other American and Canadian cities pursuing two expansion teams, the outcome of collective bargaining could determine the fee MLB would charge for each one."

"On Thursday, Sacramento unveiled a $4-billion proposal to land a team, build a riverfront ballpark and surround it with an entertainment district. By the time MLB is ready to expand - after collective bargaining, and most likely after new media rights deals in 2028 - baseball insiders suggest the expansion fee itself could be around $4 billion."

"MLB never has had a salary cap. In 1994, the last time MLB proposed one, the players went on strike, and the World Series was not played. Now, the league argues, payroll disparities are so great that only a cap can solve them. In its presentation Thursday, MLB noted the Dodgers paid more in luxury taxes last season than 16 teams paid in player salaries and cited a $446-million payroll gap between the Dodgers ($515 million) and the lowest-pa"

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