Matt Mackowiak’s Mission to Land an MLB Team in Austin, Texas

In this episode of Common Cent$ CEO, Matt Mackowiak, an Austin native with a background in local and Washington, D.C., politics, discusses his efforts to bring a Major League Baseball team to Austin by 2029. He shares insights on co-founding Save Austin Now, which successfully reinstated the city’s public camping ban to tackle urban issues.

Matt also details the collaborative vision for a new baseball stadium and a vibrant third downtown in southeast Austin, leveraging the city’s rapid population growth, robust corporate community, and strong public support to position Austin as a top contender for MLB expansion. This conversation underscores the strategic initiatives to enhance Austin’s reputation as a leading hub for sports and urban development.

Austin Baseball Commission website:
https://www.atxmlb.com

Timestamps:
0:36 - Growing up in Austin since 1984 shapes a deep connection to the city’s evolution.
1:17 - Graduating from UT in 2003 with a focus on political communication sparks a career path.
2:07 - George W. Bush’s presence in Austin as governor highlights local political accessibility.
3:12 - Working at Homeland Security marks an early D.C. role.
4:01 - Serving as press secretary for two U.S. senators builds high-level communication skills.
5:46 - Returning to Austin in 2011 leads to founding a boutique PR firm.
6:45 - Co-founding Save Austin Now aims to prevent Austin from mirroring San Francisco’s issues.
8:54 - Two years of lifted camping bans devastate Austin’s public spaces and safety
10:07 - Prop B’s 58% voter approval reinstates the camping ban despite strong opposition.
12:16 - A bipartisan statewide ban on homeless camping reinforces local efforts.
14:16 - A lifelong love for baseball fuels the dream of bringing an MLB team to Austin.
16:09 - Derrik Fox reveals MLB’s 2029 expansion plans, sparking the Austin bid.
17:23 - Austin’s market strength surpasses other cities vying for MLB franchises.
19:41 - Salt Lake City’s smaller size and existing sports teams weaken its MLB case.
22:36 - Austin and Nashville stand out for their growth and corporate support in MLB bids.
24:57 - Resolving Oakland and Tampa’s MLB issues is critical before expansion proceeds.
30:17 - A southeast Austin stadium envisions a third downtown with mixed-use development.
34:26 - A unified youth baseball complex with RBI Austin could boost local sports.
42:37 - Community support for the MLB bid grows through atxmlb.com and social media.
50:34 - A baseball corridor from Round Rock to Monterrey, Mexico, could feed Austin’s MLB team.

#MLBExpansion #AustinBaseball #SaveAustinNow #BaseballDreams #AustinGrowth