The Oakland Athletics have finally found a new home, and it’s in Las Vegas. A new retractable roof ballpark near the Las Vegas Strip is set to be acquired by the team, as they have entered into a binding agreement for the purchase of the land.
The stadium is expected to have a seating capacity of 30,000 to 35,000, and the team is hoping to break ground by next year and move into their new home by 2027.
New Home for the Athletics
For years, the A’s have been searching for a new home to replace the old and dilapidated Oakland Coliseum, which has been their playing venue since their move from Kansas City before the start of the 1968 season.
The Coliseum, which the A’s share with the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, has long been considered one of the worst stadiums in Major League Baseball.
Las Vegas: The Fourth Home for the Franchise
The franchise, which originally began as the Philadelphia Athletics from 1901-54, is set to move to Las Vegas, which will become its fourth home. The team then moved to Kansas City, where they played from 1955-67 before making the move to Oakland. The Athletics have won nine World Series titles in their history, including three in Oakland.
The A’s lease at the Coliseum expires after the 2024 season, which is why the team has been looking for a new home for the past several years. The team’s ownership had proposed building a new waterfront ballpark in Oakland, but those plans fell through due to opposition from local business leaders and politicians.
Low Attendance in Oakland
The A’s have struggled both on and off the field this season. With a record of 3-16 and having been outscored by 86 runs, the team holds the lowest attendance record in the majors, with an average of 11,027 through 12 home games played this season.
The team’s struggles on the field and low attendance have only added to the urgency to find a new home.
Disappointment in Oakland
According to a statement by Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, she expressed disappointment in the A’s for not engaging in negotiations with the city as a “true partner.”
The city had presented the team’s ownership group with an offer for a waterfront location close to Jack London Square, but the offer was declined due to concerns over the site’s feasibility.
Las Vegas: A Sports Mecca
After being previously viewed as a pariah due to its connection with the gambling industry, Las Vegas is swiftly transforming into a sports mecca. The city is now home to the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders, and the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces. The city also hosts several high-profile sporting events, including the NFL Draft and the NBA Summer League.
The A’s move to Las Vegas represents a new chapter in the team’s history. The team’s ownership group is hoping that the new ballpark will provide a much-needed boost to the team’s fortunes both on and off the field. While the move has disappointed some in Oakland, the team’s decision to move to Las Vegas is a testament to the city’s growing status as a sports mecca.
