After a meeting of important league figures, including Ban Johnson, Charles Comiskey, Charles Somers, and Connie Mack, Johnson announced that the American League would be placing teams in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington to play during the 1901 season. Additional reporting said that Mack, currently managing in Milwaukee, would manage the Philadelphia team.
American League president Ban Johnson said the league had “secured grounds in Philadelphia which are a mile nearer the heart of the city than is the National League park.”
Milwaukee's team president, Matt Killilea, said that if his team's manager, Connie Mack, could get a team going in Philadelphia, Killilea would let Mack join that team with his blessing.
A story in the Times said Connie Mack's efforts in Philadelphia were backed by an unnamed “rich man.”
The Times reported that Ban Johnson and Charles Somers were in Philadelphia meeting with Connie Mack and that Johnson said he would “incorporate” the Philadelphia team and reveal the names of the owners within a day or so.
Presumptive Philadelphia manager Connie Mack said the city would have “a fast team of young, active, and well-known players” and that he was already talking to “several” players with an eye toward signing them. He added that the team had options on several possible playing sites and expected to have more news on the topic within days.