The Oakland A’s have reportedly taken additional steps toward relocating the MLB franchise to Las Vegas, following years of conversations with city officials in both Las Vegas and Oakland.
While the Athletics have always been viewed as the MLB team most likely to relocate, the momentum toward a move has been slowed. Team officials had left the door open to staying in Oakland with a new stadium deal, but talks with city officials have encountered frequent hurdles.
- Projected Oakland A’s payroll 2023: $58 million
As MLB eyes expansion, the league is determined to not add two expansion teams until the situation with the Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays becomes settled. As the Rays continue exploring their option, the Oakland A’s are now taking steps that would land them in a new city.
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According to Front Office Sports, the Athletics have narrowed their hunt for a location to build a stadium in Las Vegas to the Tropicana site owned by Bally’s. While the Las Vegas Festival Grounds was previously under consideration, site owner Phil Ruffin told Front Office Sports that there have been no recent conversations with team officials.
However, the club must still overcome several hurdles. Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo said in January that he will not raise taxes to fund a new ballpark for the A’s. However, a state spokesperson indicated that any professional team interested in moving to Las Vegas may qualify for economic development programs.
Las Vegas is handling its interest. in hosting an MLB franchise very differently than it approached the NFL. When the Raiders relocated, the Nevada Legislature approved the use of $750 million in public money to help build Allegiant Stadium.
The city’s stance comes amid a sense of growing frustration with the Athletics organization. While Oakland agreed to publicly fund the infrastructure and transportation that surrounds a new potential stadium at the Howard Terminal in the Port of Oakland, those efforts hit a setback.
“I have not seen that from the Oakland A’s at any level, and it’s not really our job to go out and beg them to come here because we have earned the reputation of the greatest arena on Earth.”
Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft on the Oakland A’s (H/T ABC 10 10 News San Diego)
Related: MLB commissioner says Oakland A’s likely to move to Las Vegas
Oakland A’s attendance year by year (ESPN)
- 2022: 9,973 fans per game (30th in MLB)
- 2021: 8,767 fans per game (29th in MLB)
- 2019: 20,521 fans per game (24th in MLB)
- 2018: 19, 427 fans per game (27th in MLB)
- 2017: 18, 446 fans per game (29th in MLB)
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred indicated in October that a stadium deal in Oakland was unlikely to happen and indicate league officials were tentatively expecting the Athletics to relocate.
The A’s stadium deal with Oakland expires after the 2024 season. If the team can’t reach a “deal “binding agreement” by then with either Oakland or Las Vegas by then, the new MLB collective bargaining agreement allows for the league to cut off revenue-sharing funds.
For a franchise that already has the lowest payroll in MLB with minimal investments into scouting and player development, losing out on revenue sharing could have long-term ramifications on the club.
