Athletics to Las Vegas? Updates on Oakland MLB team’s move

Get prepared for the Las Vegas Athletics!

MLB’s owners have called for a vote to approve the team’s relocation from Oakland to Nevada, with the balloting on the agenda at the owners’ meetings starting November 14 in Arlington, Texas. Yet, the A’s move appears far from shovel-ready.

Reasons behind the A’s move

Owner John Fisher halted negotiations for a new stadium in Oakland and announced plans to move the club to Las Vegas to take advantage of a $1.5 billion retractable-roof stadium. The A’s would be leaving the sixth-largest media market and moving to the 40th-largest media market, distancing themselves from the Giants in San Francisco.

Financing the move

The A’s secured $380 million in financing from the state of Nevada and plan to finance the remaining $1.1 billion through debt and equity. They have partnered with Goldman Sachs for financing.

But the financing raises questions about the club’s future stability.

Nevada teachers’ opposition

Nevada teachers are opposing public funding for the A’s stadium, but their efforts have faced a significant roadblock when a Nevada judge threw out their proposed ballot referendum.

Temporary playing venue

The A’s lease in Oakland expires after the 2024 season, and their new stadium in Las Vegas won’t be ready until at least the 2028 season, leaving a gap of two years. The club faces uncertainty about where they will play temporarily.

Oakland’s response

Oakland fans and officials are still hopeful, given the city’s efforts to secure the Howard Terminal site for a new stadium. A video has been sent to MLB and the owners, emphasizing Oakland’s readiness for a deal.

Is Oakland resigned to losing its team? It’s uncertain, but Oakland remains a potential expansion market even if the A’s leave.