It would make more sense for MLB to collect a $2 billion or more expansion fee to have a team in the growing city of Nashville and a second pro team in Chicago--the third biggest market.
Chicago has 600,000 residents without cable alone, and that is roughly half of the Nashville metropolitan area. Plus, two teams are in New York and Los Angeles (well, the Angels are in Anaheim, but act like they are in LA).
Sox fans have proven they will support a winning team. Get Jerry out of the way, and maybe that will happen again. Plus, no one is against the Sox building a new stadium. Folks are just against the proposal for funding the construction.
The Sox stadium issue does have to be resolved by 2029, as that is when the lease runs out.
It is the biggest reason Reinsdorf is motivated to build a new park on the 78. He might be willing to abandon his quest for the state funding the majority of the park now that he might have another professional sports franchise as a partner to help in their quest to develop the 78.
The Chicago Fire are reportedly interested in building their new soccer stadium on the 78. Their owner however is willing to pay for the construction costs and that can a create conflict between the two parties.
Jerry privately funded the United Center when he had the Wirtz family there to co-sign the mortgage. So maybe it will not be much of a problem if the two billionaires can work out a private funding arrangement to get both projects off the ground since the 78's developer, Related Midwest, is willing to accommodate both clubs.
It could also motivate Jerry to focus on the state to pay for infrastructure costs instead. That is the one area Illinois politicians have hinted they would consider using taxpayer money toward this project.
Manfred setting up to retire in 2029 also sets up nicely to be an advantage to the Sox fans. If he truly believes baseball is better served with two clubs in Chicago, then he will be around as this stadium issue plays out. However, he said the same thing about Oakland right up until another city agreed to help build the A's a new stadium.
That is why you cannot really count on Rob Manfred to be an ally.