On Friday, Dean left open the possibility he would accept a vice presidential nomination on a Democratic presidential ticket, a move that is unusual for candidates seeking to appear presidential.
Organisers of the festival, in its 31st year, hope the move will enable them to keep ticket prices unchanged and raise more funds for charities through profits.
Single-entity status would also allow teams in the same city to set ticket prices jointly, and permit the league to move its games from free broadcast television to paid cable.