The Oakland Athletics are poised to relocate to Las Vegas in the coming years, thanks to a significant investment from Nevada taxpayers. This announcement has elicited a mixed response after spending decades in the Bay Area. The team’s ownership and Nevada’s leadership are delighted with the prospects of new revenue opportunities, as a state-of-the-art stadium is set to be constructed on the iconic Las Vegas strip. Conversely, Oakland fans are understandably frustrated and disappointed, expressing their discontent through organized events aimed at pressuring owner John Fisher to relinquish ownership of the team. Even the current players are dissatisfied, with one of them boldly stating that the “Las Vegas A’s” are unwanted.
Read: MLB Player Criticizes Relocation: ‘The Las Vegas A’s Are Unwanted’
Adding to the chorus of dissent is an unexpected voice: the mayor of Las Vegas herself. Mayor Carolyn Goodman recently spoke to Front Office Sports for a podcast interview, during which she voiced her criticism of the team’s plans to build a new stadium on the grounds of the Tropicana Hotel. However, her opposition extends beyond the chosen location; Mayor Goodman firmly believes that the team should remain in Oakland. Her stance is hardly a ringing endorsement for the Las Vegas A’s.
LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 26: General views of the Las Vegas Sign on June 26, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by AaronP/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)
The responsibility for this predicament lies squarely on the shoulders of both current and former team ownership. Las Vegas has proven itself capable of supporting professional football and hockey franchises, with the addition of an NBA team appearing quite likely. However, Major League Baseball’s lengthy season places a premium on fan interest to avoid the abysmal attendance figures witnessed in cities like Tampa and Oakland.
John Fisher, along with previous ownership, displayed minimal interest in constructing a competitive team for the long term. Instead, they viewed MLB ownership as a means for real estate investment. Despite operating with modest payrolls and possessing a subpar stadium, the A’s managed to nurture young talent over the years. Unfortunately, as soon as these players reached free agency, they departed for more lucrative opportunities elsewhere. The A’s adopted an excessively frugal approach, even by the standards of small-market teams. It comes as no surprise that fans ceased supporting a team that displayed no ambition to compete. If Fisher brings the same management style to Vegas, they will undoubtedly encounter similar attendance woes, regardless of the allure and novelty of their new stadium.
Typically, when a team relocates, the destination city is met with excitement. However, based on Mayor Goodman’s remarks and the reactions from players, the sentiment is quite the opposite with regards to the A’s move to Las Vegas. Perhaps the true solution to this predicament lies in what A’s fans have been clamoring for since the discussions about Las Vegas began: John Fisher selling the team.