Major League Baseball Drops Grand Teton National Park Site Consideration
Major League Baseball will not continue to evaluate Grand Teton National Park as a potential site for a game, Commissioner Robert Manfred told local officials in a letter Thursday. Manfred’s letter responds directly to local opposition from municipal and county leaders in Jackson and Teton County who protested the league’s initial concept pitch to the Trump administration.
Local Opposition Leads to Decision
Teton County Commission Chair Mark Newcomb, Jackson Mayor Arne Jorgensen, Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rick Howe, and Teton County Clerk Maureen Murphy signed a joint protest letter opposing the proposal. The local officials argued that Grand Teton is a protected space dedicated to preserving natural resources and wildlife. Manfred addressed his response specifically to Newcomb, Jorgensen, and Howe after the initial pitch became national news following a report by the Washington Post.
Manfred Says Community Pushback Stopped the Park Evaluation
Manfred stated in his correspondence that the league had no formal plan to play a game in the park. He explained that MLB teams were merely conducting initial due diligence on many potential sites when the story broke publicly, with no final decisions made on feasibility. The commissioner defended the league’s past special-event venues, noting that MLB is careful to leave selected sites better than when officials arrive. Ultimately, Manfred conceded that community pushback dictated the outcome, writing that it became clear local residents do not want the evaluation to continue.
Who Received the Letter and Who Broke the Story?
Who received Commissioner Manfred’s response letter?
The letter was addressed directly to Teton County Commission Chair Mark Newcomb, Jackson Mayor Arne Jorgensen, and Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rick Howe.
Which publication originally broke the story about the MLB proposal?
The Washington Post first reported on the league’s pitch to the Trump administration regarding Grand Teton National Park.
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