LAS VEGAS — The Oakland Athletics officially began their transition to Las Vegas on Monday, holding a ceremonial groundbreaking for their $1.75 billion retractable-roof stadium on the Strip. The event marks a pivotal moment for the 124-year-old franchise after years of failed stadium negotiations in Oakland.
A Franchise Turning Point
Team owner John Fisher and president Marc Badain led the festivities, joined by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and Nevada officials. The 33,000-seat ballpark, slated to open in 2028, will anchor a new entertainment district near the Tropicana Hotel site.
“This is an epic moment for our franchise,” Fisher said, acknowledging the long road to securing a new home. “These projects may seem to happen quickly, but they require incredible effort from countless people.”
The Athletics will play the next four seasons at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento—home of the Triple-A River Cats—while construction continues. The temporary move follows their controversial departure from Oakland’s RingCentral Coliseum after the 2023 season.
From Oakland to Vegas: A Rocky Transition
Fisher’s pursuit of a new stadium spanned nearly two decades in Oakland before talks collapsed. Last year, he revealed the franchise was on track to lose $40 million without a ballpark solution.
The $1.75 billion Vegas project is primarily privately financed, with Fisher’s family contributing the majority. Clark County and Nevada lawmakers approved $380 million in public funding last year, drawing both praise and criticism.
Badain, who oversaw the Raiders’ relocation and Allegiant Stadium construction, called the A’s move “a real accomplishment.” His hiring in March signaled the team’s commitment to replicating the NFL’s successful Vegas integration.
Challenges Ahead
While Monday’s event was celebratory, major hurdles remain:
✔ Fan Engagement: The A’s rank last in MLB attendance (averaging just 6,438 fans in Sacramento).
✔ On-Field Performance: At 32-48, they’re again among baseball’s worst teams.
✔ Long Wait: The 2028 opening means four more years in a minor-league facility.
Fisher acknowledged the rebuild—both on and off the field—will take time. “Building a team is like building a stadium,” he said. “Sometimes it takes longer than you’d like.”
What’s Next?
🔹 2024-2027: A’s play in Sacramento, hoping to grow a Vegas fanbase remotely.
🔹 2028: New ballpark debuts, potentially with a more competitive roster.
🔹 Legacy Questions: Will Oakland fans forgive the move? Can Vegas embrace MLB?
As shovels hit the dirt, the A’s bet big that their future shines brighter in the desert. But whether this gamble pays off won’t be known for years.
More Coverage:
➤ [How the A’s lost Oakland]
➤ [Vegas stadium financing breakdown]
➤ [Can MLB succeed in the desert?]
