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Tribe1450 · 02-06-2021, 08:27 AM

Major League Baseball
Thursday, October 7, 1954

Commissioner Announces Details on Expansion & Relocation

Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick announced today that all current MLB franchise ownership groups have agreed to an unprecedented revenue sharing agreement, which will stabilize franchise operations heading into the future.

Owners agreed to temporarily stop all of their current franchise relocation efforts in return for the league agreeing to provide funding for ballpark renovation or new construction initiatives.

Teams will still have the ability to petition the league and owners to relocate a franchise, however they must be able to fully fund a new modern ballpark before any serious consideration will be given to the request. If a teams overall financial situation precludes them from making improvements to their current facilities, the league will step in to provide funding assistance.

Some relocation may be considered necessary by the league and its owners to better distribute and market MLB across the country.

The commissioners office has determined that there is a need to expand into the western part of the United States, including California.

The Griffith family, owner of the Senators franchise has been negotiating with both Minneapolis and Los Angeles syndicates regarding a franchise relocation, but Commissioner Frick has intervened and will not be allowing those talks to continue. The Senators will be staying in Washington, D.C., with financial assistance provided at some point to help renovate their current ball park facilities.

The O'Malley family has long been advocating for a new home for their Brooklyn Dodger franchise and MLB has now agreed to set up a financial package that will allow for a new ballpark to be constructed somewhere in Brooklyn.

There are still valid concerns regarding current franchise locations in Milwaukee, Philadelphia (Athletics) and New York (Giants). The commissioner's office is now working with officials in Atlanta, Oakland and San Francisco related to ballpark options and a potential relocation of these teams to coincide with a general westward expansion of both the American and National Leagues.

There have been no formal timetables created regarding future relocations or expansions, but the commissioner did mention 1961 as a potential year for both instances to occur. Potential expansion cities and ownership groups would have until the end of 1956 to submit a formal application to the league. It is hoped that the expansion teams would be named by 1959 in time for a 1961 start up.

02-06-2021, 08:27 AM	#96
Tribe1450 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Sandusky, Ohio Posts: 152	Major League Baseball Thursday, October 7, 1954 Commissioner Announces Details on Expansion & Relocation Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick announced today that all current MLB franchise ownership groups have agreed to an unprecedented revenue sharing agreement, which will stabilize franchise operations heading into the future. Owners agreed to temporarily stop all of their current franchise relocation efforts in return for the league agreeing to provide funding for ballpark renovation or new construction initiatives. Teams will still have the ability to petition the league and owners to relocate a franchise, however they must be able to fully fund a new modern ballpark before any serious consideration will be given to the request. If a teams overall financial situation precludes them from making improvements to their current facilities, the league will step in to provide funding assistance. Some relocation may be considered necessary by the league and its owners to better distribute and market MLB across the country. The commissioners office has determined that there is a need to expand into the western part of the United States, including California. The Griffith family, owner of the Senators franchise has been negotiating with both Minneapolis and Los Angeles syndicates regarding a franchise relocation, but Commissioner Frick has intervened and will not be allowing those talks to continue. The Senators will be staying in Washington, D.C., with financial assistance provided at some point to help renovate their current ball park facilities. The O'Malley family has long been advocating for a new home for their Brooklyn Dodger franchise and MLB has now agreed to set up a financial package that will allow for a new ballpark to be constructed somewhere in Brooklyn. There are still valid concerns regarding current franchise locations in Milwaukee, Philadelphia (Athletics) and New York (Giants). The commissioner's office is now working with officials in Atlanta, Oakland and San Francisco related to ballpark options and a potential relocation of these teams to coincide with a general westward expansion of both the American and National Leagues. There have been no formal timetables created regarding future relocations or expansions, but the commissioner did mention 1961 as a potential year for both instances to occur. Potential expansion cities and ownership groups would have until the end of 1956 to submit a formal application to the league. It is hoped that the expansion teams would be named by 1959 in time for a 1961 start up.