Bryce Harper vouching for MLB expansion franchise in hometown of Las Vegas as Athletics future hangs in balance for Oakland

Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies is one of the titans of modern baseball. The 30-year-old outfielder has won a Rookie of the Year Award, a pair of MVP titles and a handful of All-Star designations.

Recently, Harper spoke about his hometown, Las Vegas, and the prospects that exist there for a potential MLB expansion team. His comments came in the wake of a bombshell directive from league commissioner Rob Manfred that he would "love to see" the number of teams in the MLB increase from 30 to 32 within the next few seasons.

"Bryce Harper also commented on the talks heating up for an MLB franchise coming to Las Vegas." - Rebel Report

Speaking at a NASCAR event in Las Vegas recently, Harper welcomed the idea of a new MLB team in Las Vegas. His comments come as the Oakland Athletics, cash-starved and using a dilapidated stadium, are looking to move. Along with some other cities, Las Vegas is emerging as a top contender.

Harper made a distinction between relocation and expansion teams. Making reference to the Las Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL, Harper called expansion teams "a lot different" from a team with an existing fanbase merely relocating:

"“I think [Vegas needs] an expansion [team]. I don’t think a team can come here and thrive, kind of like the [Vegas Golden Knights] did.”

Bryce Harper hit .400 with six home runs and 13 RBIs for the Philadelphia Phillies during the 2022 postseason before their eventual elimination in the World Series at the hands of the Houston Astros. He underwent Tommy John surgery in January after struggling with elbow pain throughout last season. He is not expected to return to play until mid-summer.

"Rob Manfred wants MLB to expand to 32 teams, per @DVNJr" - Fox Sports: MLB

Should the A's move to Las Vegas, they would be following in the footsteps of their NFL counterparts. The NFL's Oakland Raiders came to Vegas before the 2020 season, and their installation has been a resounding success.

Bryce Harper's hometown is one of many options for the MLB

While Vegas has shown, against a lot of doubt, that it can sustain a pro team, there are still other contending cities. Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of the biggest contenders. Rick Curti, a media consultant, is spearheading the movement to get a team in Charlotte. Regardless, it remains to be seen when and where the league will choose to set up shop next.