Oakland Athletics Close to Severing Ties with City, Eyeing Move to West Sacramento and Las Vegas

The Athletics are on the brink of severing ties with Oakland after 56 years and are eyeing a move to West Sacramento before ultimately relocating to Las Vegas for the 2028 season. According to reports, the team met with Sacramento officials to discuss the potential move, with an announcement expected to come in the next few days.

With their lease at the Oakland Coliseum set to expire after this season, the A’s are facing a tight timeline to secure a new home. Major League Baseball schedules are typically finalized in May, putting pressure on the team to make a decision quickly. Commissioner Rob Manfred has urged A’s owner John Fisher to resolve the issue promptly.

Negotiations between Oakland officials and the A’s have hit a roadblock, with the city’s demands including a five-year lease with a team opt-out after three years and the sale of the Coliseum site to a local developer. The A’s decision to enter into an agreement to move to Las Vegas has strained relations with the city, leading to a potential move to Sacramento.

The move to West Sacramento would see the A’s share Sutter Health Park with the San Francisco Giants’ Triple-A team, the RiverCats, for up to three seasons. The temporary move is seen as an audition for Sacramento to become a viable option for MLB expansion in the future.

As the A’s navigate through this uncertain period, their on-field performance has been lackluster, with a 1-5 start to the season. The team’s average attendance has also been low, adding to the urgency of finding a new home. The move to a minor league ballpark will require approval from the MLB Players Association, ensuring player safety and suitable facilities.

The A’s relocation saga continues to unfold, with the team on the verge of a major transition after decades in Oakland. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.