Relief pitcher Yordin Chalas of the Hillsboro Hops, on the mound in 2024. While the local Minor League team has grown a fan base, could a Major League team make it in Portland? The Portland Metro Chamber of Commerce is set to discuss that at a Thursday, Jan. 16 breakfast forum.

Fans of Major League Baseball have long dreamed about Portland getting its own team. But is that even possible?

The Portland Metro Chamber of Commerce is hosting a panel discussion on that topic from 8:30 to 10 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 16, in the Skyline Room of the Portland Hilton, 921 S.W. Sixth Ave.

People can register to attend here.

The conversation won’t focus on athletes or competitions, but on the broader economic impact such a franchise would bring to the greater Portland area, including job creation, community investment, infrastructure growth and tourism.

Speakers will include Mike Barrett, managing director of the Portland Diamond Project, which is attempting to lure a big league team here; Megan Conway, CEO of Travel Portland; Jim Etzel, CEO of Sports Oregon; and Graham Trainor, president of the Oregon AFL-CIO. The moderator is Isaac Streeter, sports reporter for the Portland Tribune.