Sports

Raleigh vs. Charlotte

Published

4 months ago

August 21, 2025

A new study shows that out of 10 cities that are potential contenders to be the home of a Major League Baseball (MLB) team, Raleigh and Charlotte are strong contenders. The study analyzes and compares the cities based on feasibility and the economic impact an MLB team would have on each city.

Earlier this week, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred hinted at an MLB expansion.

“I think if we expand, it provides us with an opportunity to geographically realign,” Manfred said on the ESPN broadcast of the Little League Classic between the Mariners and Mets, according to reports. “I think we could save a lot of wear and tear on our players in terms of travel. I think our postseason format would be even more appealing for entities like ESPN because you’d be playing out of the East, out of the West and that 10 o’clock where we sometimes get Boston-Anaheim would be two West Coast teams. That 10 o’clock slot that’s a problem for us sometimes becomes a real opportunity for our West Coast audience.”

Manfred indicated that he hopes to have the locations of two new MLB teams picked out by 2029, when he plans to retire.

“Major League Baseball believes the strongest two expansion markets remain Salt Lake City, Utah; and Nashville, with no plans to put an expansion franchise back into Oakland,” according to USA Today, sports columnist Bob Nightingale.

Feasibility

The report breaks down each city’s feasibility as a potential contender. Feasibility is influenced by multiple factors, including population size and growth, income levels, media market reach, proximity to existing MLB teams, and — perhaps most critically — the ability to secure a dedicated MLB stadium, based on the report’s analysis.

Raleigh and Charlotte are North Carolina’s powerhouse cities, commanding national and global attention with rapid growth. Charlotte has risen as the nation’s second-largest financial hub. At the same time, Raleigh thrives as a technology center, supported by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, and Duke University. Together, they reflect the state’s growing influence.

Population growth is a significant factor in attracting an MLB team. While overall rankings remain steady through 2050, Raleigh stands out with a projected 45.8% increase — second only to San Antonio — while Charlotte ranks sixth, according to the study. Both cities are expected to outpace Nashville, a key Southern rival.

Income levels are also factors, as higher household earnings boost ticket demand. Among the 10 MLB contender cities, Charlotte and Raleigh place fourth and fifth in average weekly wages, at $1,060 and $1,015, respectively, according to the study.

Media market size adds another layer. For 2024–25, Charlotte ranks third and Raleigh fourth among the 10 contenders, rising nationally to 21st and 22nd, according to the study. Both show upward momentum.

Stadium feasibility remains a challenge. Raleigh has two main prospects: “Downtown South,” just south of downtown with strong interstate access; and an 80-acre entertainment district near the Lenovo Center, though space could be tight. If neither fit, sites along I-40 or NC-70 between Raleigh and Durham might be explored, though the Durham Bulls’ 10,000-seat park is too small. Charlotte lags, with Truist Field’s 10,000 seats and potential renovation costs of up to $1 billion. Past stadium proposals have faced pushback over public funding.

According to the study, a new MLB stadium would cost $1–$2 billion. State and local governments traditionally cover much of the expense, recouping through economic growth, through private or investor-led funding is possible. Ownership models also matter: Most teams are privately held, though the Braves have been publicly traded since 2023.

In a recent column by John Locke Foundation board member John Hood, he said decades of academic research show that the public funding of ballparks, stadiums, and arenas does not bring the promised economic benefits. Hood says state and local governments do not derive sufficient return on investment (ROI) in job creation, financial gains, etc., to justify the significant payout. He says the money spent on advertised products would have been spent on other goods or services in the market. And taxpayers would get a better ROI if the funds were invested in public services such as public safety, education, or infrastructure.

Other factors analyzed for feasibility include schedule, competition, and professional performance. Given that both Raleigh and Charlotte already host professional and collegiate sports teams, an important consideration is whether an MLB schedule would overlap with existing sports calendars — particularly those of the popular ACC programs in the Raleigh-Durham area. Major League Baseball runs from April through September, with playoffs and the World Series potentially extending into October and early November.

Charlotte has demonstrated strong support for professional sports, with the Panthers averaging 70,000 fans per game in their 75,000-seat stadium for three decades (except the COVID-impacted 2020 season), the Hornets drawing 17,000 per game despite a 42% winning record, and Charlotte FC setting the MLS single-game attendance record while remaining among league leaders. Even the Charlotte Knights, a minor league baseball team, have posted impressive attendance, sometimes leading all minor league baseball teams.

The primary scheduling overlap in Charlotte would be between MLB and MLS (Major League Soccer), while in Raleigh, the central conflict would be with college football for only two months — unless a team advanced into the postseason — similar to other candidate cities like Mexico City and Montreal, facing overlaps with professional and college teams.

Economic ImPACT

This report measures economic impact in both the public and private sectors. It only measures the effect that stays in the selected area and is not countered by reductions elsewhere in the local economy. The economic impact is measured from the construction of the stadium and the annual MLB season.

Economic projects have three effects: direct, indirect, and induced. The estimated cost of this report’s analysis is $1.75 billion. Direct impact is at the project site. Construction activities include design, materials, and labor. Only activities generated from the project’s host area are included in the calculations. Impact is measured by private spending, employment, payroll, and public revenue. Indirect impact is the economic impact on local suppliers to the project. The induced effect reflects the additional private spending, job creation, and public revenue generated when the project’s extra labor income is spent at local retailers and businesses.

“Annual additional jobs are between 2000 and 2500, with annual labor income of nearly $120 million. Total additional economic output is over $300 million,” according to the study. “Cities in each county will receive over $2 million annually, the county will take in more than $3 million, State tax revenues will be an additional $7 million annually, and the Federal government will collect over $20 million yearly.”

The study says building an MLB stadium in either metro area would generate about 5,500 jobs, over $400 million in payroll, $140–160 million in economic activity, and more than $80 million in public revenues.

Sports

Who Was Among This Week’s Faces in the Crowd?

Published

6 minutes ago

December 10, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Each week during the academic year, the NE10 honors Athletes of the Week for all of its 24 sponsored sports while they are in season. Faces in the Crowd shines a spotlight on outstanding on-field performances that didn’t earn Athlete of the Week recognition, while also highlighting academic or community efforts from student-athletes across the league.

Below are this week’s NE10 Faces in the Crowd.

Hope Fox

School: Southern Connecticut
Sport: Basketball

Fox made history for Southern Connecticut women’s basketball in their NE10 opener against Franklin Pierce. Fox recorded a career-best of nine steals, which is the second-most steals in a single-game in program history and the most since Kiana Steinauer had 10 against Stonehill in 2019. Additionally, Fox’s nine steals are the most recorded in a game in the NE10 this season and third-most in the NCAA.

Jodiann Ebanks

School: American International

Sport: Track & Field

A Campbell transfer, Ebanks was at the front of the sprints for AIC in the TRACK at new balance Early Bird Invitational. She won the 60-meter dash and 200-meter dash with her 25.42-second time in the 200-meter race being the fastest in the NE10 and throughout the East Region after the year’s first week of competition.

Ruzgar Christina Boyle

School: American International

Sport: Basketball

Boyle lost her mind this weekend against Pace, drilling six first quarter threes en route to nine total makes and a new AIC single-game record. Boyle finish an insane 9-13 from behind the arc va the Setters for a career-high 27 points. The nine makes are the second-most by a women’s basketball player in DII this winter.

Skyla Lang

School: Bentley

Sport: Swimming & Diving

Lang won three races at the WPI Gompei Invitational last week, most notably breaking her own school record in the 100 IM at 58.09, which is the fastest time in the NE10 this season. Lang also won the 400 IM and the 100 Breaststroke. Her time in the 400 IM is the best in the NE10 so far (4:34.02).

Valerii Pidhoretskyy

School: Adelphi

Sport: Swimming & Diving

Valerii posted personal bests in every race he swam last week, breaking Adelphi records in the 50 Free, 100 Free, 400 Medley Relay, 200 Medley Relay. He swam the fastest times in the NE10 this season in the 50 Free and the 200 Free Relay while posting the league’s second-best times in the 100 Free, 100 Fly, 200 IM, 400 Free Relay and 800 Free Relay.

This Year’s Faces in the Crowd

Week 1

Anna Daggatt, Saint Michael’s Volleyball

Dillon Labonte, SNHU Cross Country

Jakkai Stith, AIC Football

Jenni Huttunen, Franklin Pierce Soccer

Taylor Leckey, SCSU Field Hockley

Week 2

Alice Bender, Pace Volleyball

Annie Lorenz, Bentley Field Hockey

Isabel Hughes and Claudia Keith, SNHU Soccer

Reese Swanson, Franklin Pierce Field Hockey

Connor Dietz, AIC Football

Jay Kastantin, Assumption Football

Week 3

Dillon Labonte, SNHU Cross Country

Elizjah Lewis, Pace Football

Grace Almeida, Saint Michael’s Volleyball

Lana Mignon De Wet, Adelphi Field Hockey

Paola Soto Burgos, AIC Volleyball

Week 4

Brennah Abilheira-Cargill, Assumption Volleyball

Kerrigan Habing, SCSU Volleyball

Drew Forkner, St. Anselm Football

Khais Milligan, Pace Soccer

Madeline Krepelka, Bentley Field Hockey

Week 5

Connor Dietz, AIC Football

Elizjah Lewis, Pace Football

Kaylise McClure, Mercy Field Hockey

Mackenzie Casey, Adelphi Volleyball

Michael Guarnieri, St. Anselm Football

Week 6

Andrew Surprenant, SNHU Men’s Golf

Isaiah Osgood, Bentley Football

Jessica Evans, Mercy Field Hockey

Sarah Henault, SCSU Volleyball

Sydney DeRoche, Bentley Women’s Soccer

Week 7

Faith Kosiba, Saint Michael’s Soccer

Grace Presswood, Assumption Volleyball

John Giller, SCSU Football

McKenzie Carey, Bentley Field Hockey

Ruby Harrington, Saint Michael’s Field Hockey

Week 8

Avery Frommer, Bentley Field Hockey

Billy Gould, Assumption Football

Kerrigan Habing, SCSU Volleyball

Maya Fisher, SCSU Cross Country

Quinlyn Moll, AIC Field Hockey

Week 9

Isaiah Decias, Bentley Football

Jessica Evans, Mercy Field Hockey

Milagros Zanatelli, AIC Field Hockey

Ryan Rosario, Franklin Pierce Women’s Soccer

Sasha Luzina, Bentley Volleyball

Week 10

Connor Smith, Assumption Football

Jake Croce, Saint Anselm Football

Madeline Chaapel, Adelphi Volleyball

Maggie Burchill, Saint Anselm Field Hockey

Riley Mastowski, Franklin Pierce Hockey

Week 11

Ana Carolina Westerich, Adelphi Volleyball

Dayshawn Walton, Adelphi Basketball

Taeya and Rheyna Steinauer, SCSU Basketball

Will Gomes, Franklin Pierce Football

Amelia Hohos, Saint Anselm Soccer

Week 12

Brady Gaudet, Franklin Pierce Soccer

Dom Santiago, Assumption Football

Elena Coban, Bentley Volleyball

Olivia Crespo, Franklin Pierce Soccer

Will Davies, Saint Anselm Basketball

Week 13

Alvaro Garcia, SNHU Soccer

Jojo Wallace, SNHU Basketball

Kaitlin McDonough, Saint Anselm Basketball

Margaret Montplaisir, Saint Michael’s Basketball

Zee McCown, Assumption Basketball

Week 14

Hope Fox, SCSU Basketball

Jodiann Ebanks, AIC Track and Field

Ruzgar Christina Boyle, AIC Basketball

Skyla Lang, Benltey Swimming

Valerii Pidhoretskyy, Adelphi Swimming

ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 10 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.

Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.

Fans can subscribe via this link to follow NE10 NOW on FloSports this season. The partnership between the NE10 and FloSports works to provide funds back to the athletic departments of the Northeast-10 Conference in support of student-athletes while promoting the league on a national platform.

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Sports

Best IHSA players in Peoria area

Published

7 minutes ago

December 10, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Dec. 10, 2025, 3:45 a.m. CT

Here are the 2025 Journal Star volleyball all-area honorees in alphabetical order, led by player of the year and separated by large-school players and small-school players.

Mia Lamberti, Limestone

Lamberti is the 2025 Journal Star player of the year, becoming the sixth repeat winner in the award’s 36-year history. She helped Class 3A top-ranked Limestone to a 34-3 record and a Mid-Illini Conference championship. The 6-foot junior setter/opposite hitter was named to four all-tournament teams this season, having over 1,000 career kills and assists. Lamberti, who committed to Illinois this past June, recorded 402 kills, 406 assists, 137 digs, 67 aces and 13 blocks. Her individual accolades include American Volleyball Coaches Association third-team all-American, AVCA all-region, Illinois Volleyball Coaches Association first-team all-state and all-Mid-Illini Conference first team.

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Sports

Sharp Tabbed All-Northwest Region First Team

Published

23 minutes ago

December 10, 2025

Your Sports Nation

BOISE, Idaho – Redshirt freshman Eliza Sharp was named to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Northwest Region First Team on Tuesday, as the AVCA released its all-region honors for all of NCAA Division I.

The honor added to Sharp’s accolade-filled season with the Broncos. The middle blocker was also named Mountain West Freshman of the Year and All-Mountain West. Sharp is the first Bronco to earn all-region first team honors and the conference freshman of the year award in the same season.

Sharp was one of 14 players selected to the All-Northwest Region team and one of three middle blockers. She was also among four freshmen on the all-region squad.

Out of Burlingame, Calif., Sharp averaged 2.21 kills and 1.24 blocks in 113 sets played this past season. Her 250 kills and 140 total blocks were second-best on Boise State while she finished the year with 329.5 points.

She is 31st in the country in total blocks and 50th in blocks per set.

Sharp is the 10th Bronco to earn one of the 14 all-region first team selections in program history.

There were 213 student-athletes recognized across 10 regional teams by the AVCA this year. Each region had 14 first-team all-region honorees and a handful of honorable mentions.

Boise State finished the season 20-11 and reached the semifinals of the Mountain West Volleyball Championship.

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Sports

Cleaver, Dale, and Prince named AVCA Honorable Mention All-Americans

Published

40 minutes ago

December 10, 2025

Your Sports Nation

HICKORY, N.C. – Averie Dale, Kayli Cleaver, and Hadley Prince have each been named to the AVCA Honorable Mention All-America Team.

This marks the second consecutive All-America honor for Cleaver and Dale, while Prince is making her first appearance on the team. There have now been seven individuals in Lenoir-Rhyne volleyball history who have been named to an All-American team.

Averie Dale tied the school record with a .399 hitting percentage this season, totaling 245 kills, 31 service aces, and 31 assists. She finished tied for first in the conference and first on the team with a total of 107 blocks, and added 82 digs.

Kayli Cleaver was the Bears’ go to on the outside, leading the team with 363 kills on a .266 hitting percentage. She totaled double-digit kills in 20 of her 31 matches played and set a new career high with 23 kills in a four set victory at Newberry.

Hadley Prince is this year’s South Atlantic Conference leader and ranks seventh all-time in Lenoir-Rhyne history with 547 digs. She had double-digit digs in every match this year and had a Lenoir-Rhyne career high of 32 on November 11th at Coker. Her 39 service aces led the team while her 115 assists were fourth.

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Sports

Vanderbilt Football | Stowers Awarded 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy®

Published

55 minutes ago

December 10, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LAS VEGAS — Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers has been named the 36th recipient of the William V. Campbell Trophy® it was announced at the National Football Foundation Annual Awards Dinner presented by Las Vegas.

The Campbell Trophy^® ranks as one of college football’s most sought-after and competitive awards, recognizing an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. Awarded since 1990, the 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy comes with a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship. Stowers was selected from a list of 16 members of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments®.

The Denton, Texas, native becomes the first Campbell Trophy^® winner from Vanderbilt. He is the school’s fifth NFF National Scholar-Athlete, joining Wade Butcher (1961), Douglas Martin (1974), Andrew McCarroll (1989) and Hunter Hillenmeyer (2002).

Stowers received his undergraduate degree from New Mexico State in 2024, posting a 3.92 cumulative grade-point average, and he completed his master’s degree in finance from Vanderbilt in the spring. A member of the 2024-25 First-Year SEC Academic Honor Roll, he is currently pursuing a master’s of legal studies degree this fall.

During his time at Vanderbilt, Stowers has volunteered at the multiple events at the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital and has supported the facility’s Dancing Dores fundraiser while also participating in Social Impact Day with the Pencil Foundation and Metro Nashville Public Schools and assisting at the department’s annual SAAC Holiday Party.

Elected a team captain prior to the start of this season, Stowers has contributed to the Commodores’ 10-2 regular season record with team highs of 62 catches for 769 yards while scoring four touchdowns. He leads all tight ends nationally in receiving yards and is second at the position in the country in receptions after hauling in multiple passes in every contest this season.

Stowers has led the Dores in catches a team-best six times and in receiving yards on four occasions, as he needs only six yards to record the most by a Vandy tight end since the 1996 campaign. He finished with a career-high 146 yards—the second most by a Power 4 tight end this season—on seven catches at No. 20/19 Texas, following up with a career-best 12 receptions for 122 yards in a Homecoming defeat of Auburn.

Stowers is a finalist for the John Mackey Award and is a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award too. He was a semifinalist for the 2025 Lombardi Award™ as well.

Following tonight’s NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas, Stowers will be recognized as the 2025 Campbell Trophy^® recipient at several other prestigious events. On Friday, Dec. 12, he will be recognized during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN. He will be featured on CBS during halftime of the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl on Dec. 31, and will be introduced on the field during the College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Stowers and the Commodores will face Iowa—which was 23rd in the final College Football Playoff rankings—on Dec. 31 at 11 a.m. CT in the ReliaQuest Bowl.

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Sports

Purdue Fort Wayne coach and alumni reflect on death of former player and friend

Published

56 minutes ago

December 10, 2025

Your Sports Nation

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — Purdue Fort Wayne Volleyball has lost one of their own after 2022 graduate Madi Wurster died in a car accident early Monday morning.

Wurster played volleyball at Purdue Fort Wayne from 2018 to 2022 and graduated from South Adams High School, where she played volleyball and basketball.

Steve Florio, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at Purdue Fort Wayne, said that after receiving tragic news like this, everyone is still in shock.

“It almost didn’t seem real,” he said. “That’s the feedback I’m getting from a lot of our alumni, I’ve been talking with, obviously, very sad and heartbreaking.”

Florio says he has been talking with a lot of alumni since the accident, and says they describe her as “full of life”, a great hugger, a light to everyone, and so much more.

He says he wants to make sure that alumni and player voices were heard during a time like this, as they were some of the closest people to Madi.

“What they have to say about Madi is that she was a beautiful soul, and the world needed somebody like her,” he said. “She was always there for anybody who needed help. She loved all those around her. A lot of the alumni said she was a big light in this world, a great hugger, a great listener, too, and they’re all right about that.”

He adds that Wurster was very strong in her faith and had a tight friend group while at PFW. She had a really big laugh, and she loved to have a good time.

Florio says this has been a loss for the entire Mastodon family, and that this has brought many together to share stories about who Madi was and remember what she meant to all of them.

Her obituary can be found here.

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