Three weeks ago, on a Friday, the men running the Portland Diamond Project were summoned by the Chief Executive Officer of West2East Empire for a meeting in his Seattle office.

That CEO is Russell Wilson.

The Seahawks quarterback also brought his sports agent, Mark Rodgers, in on the meeting. His wife, Ciara, grew up a baseball fan and was enthusiastic about it, too. As the Portland Diamond Project representatives Craig Cheek and Mike Barrett explained their vision to Wilson and his agent, something happened. Rodgers turned to Wilson and said, "This is an answer to prayer for us."

No kidding.

This not only answers prayers, but key questions, too.

Ciara and her husband owning a small piece of the Major League Baseball to Portland dream doesn't just give the effort legitimacy. It doesn't just grab the attention of MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, who must be thrilled at the idea of a 29-year old wildly popular NFL crossover potentially buying into his sport. It doesn't just present the Wilson family with a dreamy investment. But it also helps snuff two huge looming questions.

Before Friday, the Mariners potential opposition to a MLB team moving to Portland was up in the air. Baseball in Portland at least peripherally invades the Mariners' so-called "territorial rights." It's an issue that would have to be dealt with at some point, just the same way MLB once paid off the Baltimore Orioles to allow the Washington Nationals to move in.

Would the Mariners really try to squash the answered prayers of Seattle's beloved starting quarterback? Given that Wilson has backed the NBA to Seattle effort, and is the certifiable face of the city, could the Mariners really make the distance of a three-hour drive to Portland that big of a territorial stink?

Nope.

Before the Wilson family joined the effort, the Trail Blazers might also have raised an objection to adding a competitor to the market. The Blazers took issue years ago with a potential Triple-A ballpark being built. They rolled out plans for development of the Rose Quarter and pointed out how building a stadium, say, on the Memorial Coliseum footprint would infringe upon that.

Would Blazers owner Paul Allen really try to kill the dream of Wilson and his wife, Ciara? It would be a major play by Allen to direct his NBA franchise to oppose a project that his star quarterback invested in and championed. Wilson is 29, has two years left on his contract, and is underpaid by today's standards. If Allen is to thwart the MLB to PDX effort, he'll have to tread lightly now.

There's a news conference scheduled for Saturday in Portland in which the Wilsons will undoubtedly explain their enthusiasm for the effort. Ciara isn't a silent partner here. She's equally invested -- buying in as an equal but separate owner from her husband, a source said -- and apparently stoked about it. She grew up in Atlanta, working at the ballpark, rooting for the Braves.

This was a major development in a lot of ways for the Portland baseball effort. It comes on the heels of more discussion about potential stadium sites. Also, it comes with whispers in MLB circles not only about the Oakland A's and Tampa Rays being potential relocation franchises, but also, with an unknown third MLB franchise apparently growing antsy.

Rodgers presence in this equation shouldn't be underestimated. He's a crossover himself as an agent, representing football and baseball players, among others. From Wilson to Jeff Samardzija, Rodgers has it covered. The connection makes sense. Also, Cheek, formerly at Nike, was involved years ago in signing Wilson as a Nike athlete.

Wilson once called Rodgers, "A really, really good father figure.''

It makes me wonder if other Rodgers' clients might follow Wilson's investment lead. Which is only to say that those who are asking where the money is going to come from to fund a stadium, and maybe, a team, shouldn't underestimate the effort.

City Hall also got in on the action on Friday. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler made a statement on the MLB to PDX front on Twitter.

"Watching the @PDXDiamondProj steadily gain momentum over the past few months has been exciting, especially in light of today's announcement that @DangeRussWilson and @ciara have signed on as investors," he wrote.

And in a second tweet, the Mayor added: "Bringing a @MLB team to Portland could have many extremely positive economic and social ramifications for the city, and I look forward to looking hearing more about the possibilities of this initiative."

Manfred has talked about chasing younger fans. He wants young, vibrant growing cities. He needs cities that can make baseball part of the city centerpiece. And getting ownership like the Wilson family on board gives the whole thing legitimacy.

Baseball is looking for new homes. Portland's arms feel like they're opening.