Salt Lake City Makes Pitch for MLB Expansion Team, per Report

Professional baseball has been played in Utah's capital since 1901.

A new city has thrown its hat into the ring for a potential MLB expansion team.

A Salt Lake City group is exploring potential avenues to attract an expansion team in the coming years, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.

"Salt Lake City is a major league city," Steve Starks, the CEO of the company behind the expansion bid, told ESPN. "We believe that as a top-30 media market in the fastest-growing state in the country with the youngest population, that's where our attention should be."

Gail Miller, the former owner of the Jazz, is reportedly at the helm of the project, which also includes former major league pitcher Jeremy Guthrie and outfielder Dale Murphy.

Salt Lake City enters a crowded field vying for a potential spot in MLB, which commissioner Rob Manfred has expressed a desire to expand by two teams upon the resolution of stadium issues with the Athletics and Rays.

Las Vegas, Nashville, Portland, Charlotte and Montreal have also been mentioned as candidates.

Salt Lake City has been home to professional baseball in some form or fashion since 1901. The Bees, currently the Angels’ AAA affiliate, have called the Pacific Coast League home under various names since 1994.