It has been a long, drawn-out process between the Oakland Athletics and city officials in Northern California as it relates to getting a new venue erected.
That two-decade long process is now a thing of the past after some stunning news early Thursday morning. Multiple media reports came out of Southern Nevada indicating that the Athletics have entered into a binding agreement to purchase a lot of land for a new stadium in Las Vegas.
It’s the culmination of what has been a flirtation between both the MLB team and officials in Nevada regarding potential relocation. It also pretty much ends the A’s five decades of playing baseball in Northern California. The organization released a statement early Thrusday morning confirming these reports.
“The A’s have signed a binding agreement to purchase land for a future ballpark in Las Vegas. We realize this is a difficult day for our Oakland fans and community,” Oakland Athletics statement on Las Vegas land purchase.
The Athletics and city officials in Oakland have spent the better part of the past two decades attempting to get a new waterfront venue built at the Howard Terminal location. By virtue of this stunning news, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao indicated that the city is ceasing negotiations with the A’s relating to a new venue.
“I am deeply disappointed that the A’s have chosen not to negotiate with the City of Oakland as a true partner, in a way that respects the long relationship between the fans, the City and the team.
Yet, it is clear to me that the A’s have no intention of staying in Oakland and have simply been using this process to try to extract a better deal out of Las Vegas. I am not interested in continuing to play that game — the fans and our residents deserve better.”
This all comes with the Oakland Athletics boasting an humiliating on-field product in Northern California. Following Wednesday’s 12-2 home loss to the Chicago Cubs, Oakland sits at 3-16 on the season and has been outscored by 86 runs. In 11 home dates this season, the A’s have drawn an average of 10,926 fans. It’s good enough for dead last in MLB by a few thousand.
Related: Oakland Athletics owner set for meeting with Las Vegas officials as relocation nears
MLB shows support for Oakland Athletics relocating to Las Vegas
MLB Commissioenr Rob Manfred has made it clear multiple times in the past that the A’s current situation at Oakland Coliseum is not sustainable. It’s among the most run down venues in professional sports and can not continue to house a MLB team.
Following Wednesday night’s announcement and reports, Manfred continued to show his support for the Athletics’ now-likely relocation to Las Vegas.
“We support the A’s turning their focus on Las Vegas and look forward to them bringing finality to this process by the end of the year,” Manfred on Oakland Athletics news from Wednesday evening.
Related: Recent Oakland Athletics game outsold by a shocking amount of minor league games
Likely Oakland Athletics venue in Las Vegas and estimated arrival
- A’s president Dave Kaval told the Review Journal that tentative plans call for ground breaking in Las Vegas to start next year with the MLB team playing its first game in the desert metropolis in 2027.
- The Nevada State Legislature would have to pass funding of $500 million via transferable tax credits. It’s unlikely to fail with new Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo (R) backing this plan and bipartisan agreement.
“Welcoming the A’s to Las Vegas would be great news for Southern Nevada as well as our entire state. The prospect of bringing new jobs, more economic development and a historic MLB franchise to Las Vegas is exciting on many levels. As we continue to navigate this opportunity, I’m in regular communication with the A’s, Major League Baseball, legislative leadership and local and state stakeholders,” Lombardo statement on likely Oakland Athletics relocation.
- The new stadium is expected to be located on Tropicana Boulevard and Dean Martin, near the site of the home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders. Initial plans include a retractable-roof stadium seating between 30,000 and 35,000 fans.
- There is a chance that the A’s are able to get out of their lease with Oakland Coliseum before it expires after the 2024 season. While there has been no concrete reports on this, the A’s Triple-A team currently plays in the suburb of Summerlin. There is a chance that could be a temporary home for the MLB team.