MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred reiterated his support for expanding to 32 teams during ESPN's "Sunday Night Baseball" broadcast from Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Manfred wants expansion locations selected before his retirement in 2029, according to his Sunday interview.

The commissioner emphasized geographic realignment benefits, particularly for postseason scheduling and player travel. Manfred cited the problematic Boston-Anaheim matchup scenario that creates challenging broadcast times for both coasts.

Expansion would enable more appealing playoff formats for broadcasters like ESPN, Manfred explained. West Coast teams would face each other in late time slots, solving current scheduling conflicts that hurt viewership in different regions.

"I think if we expand, it provides us with an opportunity to geographically realign," Manfred said during the Mariners-Mets broadcast. "I think we could save a lot of wear and tear on our players in terms of travel."

The commissioner has consistently used the Boston-Anaheim example since at least 2018 when discussing expansion challenges. He noted that playoff games create timing problems, playing "too early for people in Anaheim or too late for people in Boston."

Manfred previously stated that expansion will follow completion of new stadium projects for the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics. Both franchises have pursued new facilities for years without resolution.

While USA Today reported that Nashville and Salt Lake City emerge as leading expansion candidates, Manfred declined to name specific cities. He suggested expansion fees would "be a number that begins with a 'B'" during a recent CNBC appearance.

"The cities that are out there almost exclusively have been cities that have self-reported," Manfred told CNBC. "They're coming to us saying we'd like to have (a team)."

MLB last expanded in 1998 with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Rays joining the league. The commissioner expects one new franchise in the Eastern time zone and another in Mountain or Pacific time zones.