MLB commissioner discusses possible expansion to Las Vegas

The National Hockey League appears to be a lock to become the first major pro sports league to put a franchise in Las Vegas, but what are the odds of Major League Baseball expanding here?

Rob Manfred, the MLB commissioner, said Thursday on the Dan Patrick Show that he'd like to eventually expand from 30 to 32 teams and that gambling is "kind of a secondary issue" when it comes to Las Vegas.

"Over a longer term, without putting a specific time on it, we see baseball as a growth business and growth businesses expand," he said. "Thirty-two (teams) does a lot for us from a schedule perspective. Those nice even numbers work well. It's something that will be on the table for baseball."

What about Las Vegas?

"Las Vegas, I think is part of a larger evolution of the relationship between sports and legalized gaming. I think that whether Las Vegas is viable or not depends on how that evolution proceeds," Manfred said. "(NBA) commissioner (Adam) Silver's been very articulate and open about his views. We're having some conversations about those topics internally in baseball and I think there will be a continuing evolution."

Manfred said the biggest issue he'd have with Las Vegas is fan support.

"Fundamentally, you have to make a decision that the market can support 81 home games. We are different than other sports just because of the bulk of the home games that are involved," he said. "I think the gambling issue is kind of a secondary issue."

What if you couldn't gamble on the home team?

"I see gambling in two different buckets," Manfred said. "I see legalized gambling very, very differently than I do illegal gambling and its potential for weighing on the game.

"Having said that, it does concern me to have a sports book that available, that proximate to a major league club."

Do you see a day when you can go to a game and have a betting window there, like in soccer?

"I really don't, particularly in baseball. The entire history of the commissioner's office was about drawing a line between the game and gambling and making sure the product we put on the field has integrity, and I just don't see us going that far. I really don't."

Sounds like gambling isn't a secondary issue after all.

Check out video of the interview above.