Governor Tina Kotek has officially signed off on Senate Bill 110, greenlighting up to $800 million in public funding to help finance a Major League Baseball stadium in Southwest Portland. The money would come from income taxes paid by future players and some team employees, gradually paying off bonds over the next 30 years.
It’s a bold swing, aimed at finally bringing a professional baseball team to Oregon’s largest city — something fans have dreamed about for decades. But it’s far from a done deal.
Before a single bat cracks or ball is thrown, Portland will need to convince Major League Baseball to award the city an expansion team. That means finding an owner willing to shell out billions in franchise and construction costs — and beating out other cities like Salt Lake City, which is already making serious moves to land a team.
Even if Portland secures a team, the stadium site itself could be a challenge. The proposed location? The old Zidell Yards shipyard — a 33-acre stretch of riverfront in Portland’s South Waterfront. It’s scenic, yes. But it’s also sitting on unstable soil that may need pollution cleanup. The area is well-served by public transit but lacks major road access, and parking could be a future headache.
Still, supporters of the plan are optimistic. The Portland Diamond Project, the private group leading the effort, has already started laying the groundwork — including requests for additional public funding for roadwork and greenways. They also want the city to create a new service district, like downtown Portland’s Clean & Safe, to handle safety, trash, and beautification.
The bill has surprisingly broad support. It passed with strong bipartisan backing in the legislature and has the full support of Portland’s mayor and the city’s biggest business groups. Backers believe a new stadium could help transform Portland’s image, which has taken a hit in recent years.
But not everyone is convinced. Skeptics point out the funding model depends on variables outside Oregon’s control — like rising player salaries and interest rates. There’s also concern that wealthy players might restructure contracts to minimize taxes, cutting into the very funding the stadium relies on.
For now, the deal is done — and Portland is officially in the running. MLB is expected to make expansion decisions by 2029. Whether this plan hits a home run or strikes out remains to be seen.
