Could Minnesota Support a Second MLB Team?

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Jake Colins

Minnesota has long been considered one of the most stable and loyal baseball markets in the United States. With a deep-rooted sports culture, a history of championship success, and a strong regional identity, the state has supported Major League Baseball for more than six decades through the Minnesota Twins. But as media markets evolve, metropolitan areas expand, and MLB quietly considers future growth, a compelling question emerges: Could Minnesota realistically support a second MLB team?

TLDR: Minnesota has the population base, corporate presence, and baseball tradition to at least entertain the idea of a second MLB franchise. However, geographic proximity, market size limitations, and fan loyalty to the Twins create significant challenges. While theoretically possible—especially in a growing metro like Minneapolis–Saint Paul—the economic and logistical hurdles would be substantial. In the near term, a second MLB team in Minnesota remains unlikely, but not entirely impossible in the long-term future.

The Current Baseball Landscape in Minnesota

The Minnesota Twins, established in 1961 after relocating from Washington, D.C., have been the state’s sole MLB franchise. They play at Target Field in downtown Minneapolis, a ballpark consistently praised for its fan experience and urban setting.

The Twins draw from a regional market that extends well beyond Minneapolis–Saint Paul. Fans travel from:

  • Greater Minnesota
  • North Dakota
  • South Dakota
  • Western Wisconsin
  • Parts of Iowa

This wide geographic reach helps stabilize attendance, even in less competitive seasons. However, Minnesota’s population size is a key variable in determining whether the state could sustain another franchise.

Population and Market Size Considerations

The Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area has a population of approximately 3.7 million people. The entire state of Minnesota has roughly 5.8 million residents.

For comparison:

  • Chicago (2 MLB teams): ~9.5 million metro
  • New York (2 MLB teams): ~20 million metro
  • Los Angeles (2 MLB teams): ~13 million metro
  • San Francisco Bay Area (2 MLB teams): ~7.7 million metro

The primary difference is scale. Markets that currently support two MLB teams have significantly larger populations and corporate infrastructures.

However, Minnesota is larger than some current single-team markets, including:

  • Milwaukee metro (~1.6 million)
  • Kansas City metro (~2.2 million)
  • Cincinnati metro (~2.3 million)

The issue is not whether Minnesota can support one team—it clearly can—but whether the fan base could be sustainably divided without harming both franchises.

Television and Media Market Dynamics

Modern professional sports economics rely heavily on broadcast rights. The Minneapolis–Saint Paul designated market area (DMA) ranks around 14th to 15th nationally.

This ranking is strong but not exceptional. Dual-team markets typically dominate media rankings. Splitting local TV revenue between two MLB teams could weaken overall profitability unless the market grows significantly.

Additionally, regional sports network instability over the past few years has complicated revenue forecasting. Adding a second franchise would intensify competition for:

  • Broadcast deals
  • Sponsorship dollars
  • Corporate partnerships
  • Premium seating buyers

Economic and Corporate Support

Minnesota hosts numerous Fortune 500 companies, including:

  • Target
  • 3M
  • Best Buy
  • General Mills
  • U.S. Bancorp

This corporate presence is a strong asset. Luxury suites, naming rights, and sponsorship packages depend heavily on corporate investment. From that standpoint, Minnesota punches above its population weight.

However, corporations already heavily invest in existing teams:

  • Minnesota Twins (MLB)
  • Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
  • Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA)
  • Minnesota Wild (NHL)
  • Minnesota United (MLS)

The sports marketplace is already crowded. Adding another MLB franchise would intensify sponsorship competition.

Geographic and Regional Competition

Geographically, MLB territories matter. The Twins currently hold exclusive territorial rights over Minnesota and surrounding regions. A second team in the same state would likely need to be located within the Twin Cities metro area, as no other Minnesota city has the population density to sustain a franchise.

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Possible theoretical locations could include:

  • St. Paul (distinct branding from Minneapolis)
  • A suburban metro location
  • A split-city identity similar to the Bay Area model

Yet even in the Bay Area (Giants and Athletics), population density is nearly double that of the Twin Cities.

Fan Loyalty and Cultural Identity

Minnesota sports fans are known for deep loyalty, particularly to long-standing franchises. The Twins have two World Series titles (1987, 1991) and decades of embedded community presence.

Introducing a second team raises questions:

  • Would fans split allegiance?
  • Would both teams draw 2 million fans each annually?
  • Or would attendance dilute, harming both clubs?

Historically, states like Texas and California have successfully integrated multiple teams. But those states benefit from enormous geographic and population diversity.

Minnesota’s identity is more consolidated, which may limit natural faction development between two franchises.

Expansion vs. Relocation Scenario

If MLB expands from 30 to 32 teams in the coming decade, new franchises are more likely to land in underrepresented, high-growth markets such as:

  • Nashville
  • Portland
  • Salt Lake City
  • Charlotte
  • Las Vegas (if not already assigned)

These regions offer either rapid growth or strategic geographic balance. Minnesota does not currently meet MLB’s expansion priority criteria.

A relocation scenario is equally unlikely. MLB typically avoids placing two teams in smaller shared markets, unless financial upside clearly outweighs risk.

Stadium Feasibility and Public Funding

Any second franchise would require a new stadium. Modern MLB ballparks cost between $1.2 and $1.8 billion.

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Minnesota taxpayers recently funded major venues for:

  • U.S. Bank Stadium (NFL)
  • Target Field (MLB)
  • Xcel Energy Center renovations (NHL)

Public appetite for financing another stadium could be limited. Without substantial private funding, political support may be difficult to secure.

Hypothetical Market Comparison

Market Metro Population Number of MLB Teams Market Rank
New York ~20 million 2 1
Los Angeles ~13 million 2 2
Chicago ~9.5 million 2 3
San Francisco Bay Area ~7.7 million 2 6
Minneapolis–Saint Paul ~3.7 million 1 14–15

The comparison highlights how Minnesota would be an outlier among two-team MLB markets.

Could It Ever Work?

Despite significant challenges, scenarios exist where a second MLB team could become more plausible:

  1. Substantial population growth pushing the metro area above 5 million.
  2. A privately financed stadium minimizing public resistance.
  3. Corporate expansion increasing sponsorship inventory capacity.
  4. Strategic league realignment requiring geographic balance in the Midwest.

If those conditions aligned over the next 25–40 years, the conversation could shift from speculative to strategic.

Conclusion

Minnesota undeniably supports baseball. The Twins remain a stable franchise with a loyal fan base and modern facilities. Yet supporting another MLB team introduces economic, demographic, and competitive complexities that may outweigh potential benefits.

At present, the state’s population concentration, media market size, and established fan loyalty structure make a second franchise improbable. However, long-term demographic changes and league expansion dynamics could gradually reshape that reality.

For now, Minnesota remains a strong single-team baseball state—but one that, under the right conditions, might someday enter the national expansion conversation.

FAQ: Could Minnesota Support a Second MLB Team?

1. Has MLB ever considered placing a second team in Minnesota?

There has been no serious public indication that MLB views Minnesota as a near-term two-team market. Most expansion discussions focus on high-growth regions lacking any MLB presence.

2. Would a second team hurt the Minnesota Twins?

It likely would, at least initially. The current fan base, television revenue, and sponsorship dollars would be divided between two franchises.

3. Is the Twin Cities metro large enough for two teams?

At roughly 3.7 million residents, it is smaller than every existing two-team MLB metro area. Growth would likely be necessary before such a move became viable.

4. Could St. Paul have its own MLB team separate from Minneapolis?

While theoretically possible from a branding standpoint, both cities share the same metropolitan economy. Market size limitations would still apply.

5. What makes other states capable of hosting multiple teams?

States like California, Illinois, and New York benefit from massive metro populations, diversified regional identities, and extensive media markets that support dual franchises.

6. What would be the biggest obstacle?

The largest challenges would be splitting television revenue, securing stadium funding, and maintaining strong attendance for both teams.

7. Is it more likely Minnesota keeps just one team?

Yes. Based on current demographics and economics, Minnesota is best positioned to remain a stable single-team MLB market for the foreseeable future.