The Oakland A's are moving to Vegas

WANTED: Passionate Sycamore Fanatics. That You?

Register NOW to join our community of die-hard Sycamore fans.

Register Log in
Sycamorefan96

Sycamorefan96

The Menser Level
Supporter
Not too surprising. This has been in the works for a while. The Raiders leaving for Vegas was just the first step in the mass exodus from Oakland. If I'm not mistaken the Golden State Warriors were also in Oakland, but relocated across the Bay in San Francisco a few years ago.

www.espn.com

A's agree to buy land for Las Vegas ballpark site

Athletics president Dave Kaval announced the team has signed a binding agreement to purchase land near the Las Vegas Strip, with the intent to build a $1.5 billion stadium on the site.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 

Become a Supporting Member to remove this ad and help support the site.
We'll see. They wanted over a billy to start but the number has apparently dropped to $500m. Still not stoked about it.

They cannot use the same special tax district that the Raiders used -- essentially funded through visitors and instead are claiming there would be a special tax district for the development around the stadium. If any public funds are used, either loans or taxes, I think the politicians should get discounted tix for Nevada locals put into the deal until whatever the final number is hit is returned.

Getting 30k for 80+ games is a whole different beast vs 8 NFL home games, especially in pretty small metro area.
 
I think they had to make the move. Oakland just doesn't seem to support them anymore. They were dead last in MLB attendance last year and only averaged 9973 per game. At least in LV they have a chance to draw in casual vacationing fans.

2022 MLB Attendance - Major League Baseball - ESPN

Check out this 2022 report of MLB attendance sortable by both baseball stadium and team.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
Sycamorefan96 said:
I think they had to make the move. Oakland just doesn't seem to support them anymore. They were dead last in MLB attendance last year and only averaged 9973 per game. At least in LV they have a chance to draw in casual vacationing fans.

2022 MLB Attendance - Major League Baseball - ESPN

Check out this 2022 report of MLB attendance sortable by both baseball stadium and team.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
Click to expand...

Well, they did quit attempting to win. Why should a fan open their wallet when you don't even try?

That said, I'll likely go when the Cubs come or when I can get free tickets. My guess is the local seat filler services will get blocks of tickets.
 
Jason Svoboda said:
Well, they did quit attempting to win. Why should a fan open their wallet when you don't even try?

That said, I'll likely go when the Cubs come or when I can get free tickets. My guess is the local seat filler services will get blocks of tickets.
Click to expand...

Some non-believers out there... is the Vegas deal better, shovel ready as compared to the various, earlier "deals"?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1649414021148278787

1682086347497.png

Perhaps if the state, city, county and A's built, rehabbed the Coliseum, the fans would come

The Cubs always draw well, even before Wrigley renovations, winning always helps but so does an enjoyable experience at a venue

Let's see if this deal is final and the A's are in their 4th city as a franchise
 

Become a Supporting Member to remove this ad and help support the site.
All of the local folks I follow have confirmed they've signed on the local land. They tore down an old casino that was there last month (used to be a local joint called Wild Wild West) and Station Resorts (who owned the casino and land) has already been doing prep work at the site to get it ready to turn over.

Also, The Athletic had a good piece yesterday that stated the A's lose revenue sharing next year if the stadium situation isn't done soon so they're now officially under a time crunch because that money is probably what is keeping them afloat -- surely isn't attendance, merch sales, etc.
 
Last edited:
Jason Svoboda said:
All of the local folks I follow have confirmed they've signed on the local land. They tore down an old casino that was there last month (used to be a local joint called Wild Wild West) and Station Resorts has already been doing prep work at the site to get it ready to turn over.

Also, The Athletic had a good piece yesterday that stated the A's lose revenue sharing next year if the stadium situation isn't done soon so they're now officially under a time crunch because that money is probably what is keeping them afloat -- surely isn't attendance, merch sales, etc.
Click to expand...

I can see this deal coming to fruition but I know other deals, other cities, other leagues have fallen through... plus, the A's are looking at a 3-yr build? seems awfully long, no? break dirt in 2024, start play in 2027...

https://lvsportsbiz.com/2023/04/20/...d-wild-west-casino-site-off-tropicana-avenue/

Bottom line, Vegas is a HORRIBLE place to watch baseball in July, August - even night games; there's so much pavement, concrete in Vegas that the nights are still hot as *uck -- my last trip was in 2012? 2011? so MAYBE it's gotten better but I doubt it.

Plus, 8 NFL home games are "destination-worthy," even for die-hard CAL-based Raider fans... 82 home MLB games? No So Much
 
Last edited:
The articles say semi-retractable roof. My guess is that thing would only be opened if they ever made the playoffs.

I've gone to one Aviators (AAA) game and yes, it was miserable even after the Sun had set.
 
Jason Svoboda said:
The articles say semi-retractable roof. My guess is that thing would only be opened if they ever made the playoffs.

I've gone to one Aviators (AAA) game and yes, it was miserable even after the Sun had set.
Click to expand...

Is there any chatter that the Aviators, former '51s, nee' Stars will relocate to Oakland?

Oakland had a PCL team from 1905 thru 1955
 
4Q_iu said:
Is there any chatter that the Aviators, former '51s, nee' Stars will relocate to Oakland?

Oakland had a PCL team from 1905 thru 1955
Click to expand...

No, I saw an article mention that several MLB teams now have their AAA team in the same city to save on logistics costs and ease for call ups. The Golden Knights have the same thing going on with Henderson Silver Knights.
 

Become a Supporting Member to remove this ad and help support the site.
Jason Svoboda said:
No, I saw an article mention that several MLB teams now have their AAA team in the same city to save on logistics costs and ease for call ups. The Golden Knights have the same thing going on with Henderson Silver Knights.
Click to expand...

just looked at the PCL and IL lineups... several is generous

4 (of 30) are in the same metro-area (ATL Braves - Gwinnett Stripers, MINN Twins - St. Paul Saints, HOU Asterisks - Sugar Land Space Cowboys and SEA Mariners - Tacoma Rainiers)

others (TOR Blue Jays - Buffalo Bisons, CIN Reds - Louisville Bats, SF Giants - Sacramento River Cats, KC Royals - Omaha Storm Chasers, DET Tigers - Toledo Mud Hens) are "nearby"... i.e. a couple of hours by car/bus.

There was a definite push to locate AA teams nearby MLB parents as AA had become a prime development league, AAA was still used but all of that changed when MLB bought MiLB and shuttered dozens of clubs - haven't tracked it recently.

The Orioles have excelled at locating their A-AAA teams within a short commute to Baltimore; it's more about marketing and building a regional fan base for the O's than keeping logistics affordable.

I know a lot of the AHL teams are near their NHL parents as well - marketing and lower logistics

If, When the A's relocate - I guess MLB will finally drop their gambling stance... 'course several clubs now have gambling sites adverstising in the parks... a buddy said the Nationals' hold a "daily" lottery during the game -- allegations that the lottery funds the Community Foundation of the Nationals
 
Last edited:
Jason Svoboda said:
All of the local folks I follow have confirmed they've signed on the local land. They tore down an old casino that was there last month (used to be a local joint called Wild Wild West) and Station Resorts (who owned the casino and land) has already been doing prep work at the site to get it ready to turn over.

Also, The Athletic had a good piece yesterday that stated the A's lose revenue sharing next year if the stadium situation isn't done soon so they're now officially under a time crunch because that money is probably what is keeping them afloat -- surely isn't attendance, merch sales, etc.
Click to expand...

Presents good insight into what Vegas may well inherit from Oakland

https://www.si.com/mlb/2023/04/21/a...tm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_6674930

Also good that Apstein includes MLB in the circle of blame that is the debacle in the Oakland Coliseum


https://www.si.com/mlb/2023/04/20/o...tm_medium=email&utm_campaign=campaign_6674930
 
Last edited:
It's obvious that the ownership doesn't want to stay in Oakland. The Bay Area is not the glowing metropolitan area it once was and they want out. It's also apparently they have been negotiating in bad faith knowing they aren't agreeing to any deal unless MLB stepped in and mandated it.

I travel and visit California almost monthly and I won't step foot in the Oakland/SF area because of what it has become.
 
Jason Svoboda said:
I travel and visit California almost monthly and I won't step foot in the Oakland/SF area because of what it has become.
Click to expand...
Unfortunate, as The Bay is one of the most unique cities in America. I visited there about 6 years ago and was blown away by just all the sites and all.
 

Become a Supporting Member to remove this ad and help support the site.
treeman said:
Unfortunate, as The Bay is one of the most unique cities in America. I visited there about 6 years ago and was blown away by just all the sites and all.
Click to expand...

Rampant homelessness, drug usage and crime have destroyed it.

The government branch I work for has an office in downtown SF and we just cannot keep employees. Multiple workers have had their cars broken into/stolen, physical violence, and you have tranq zombies literally shooting up in broad daylight. My boss had to go down to cover after an employee quit after threats of violence and took cell phone footage of people shooting up and just tossing their needles in the courtyard right outside the building. He was attempting to prove they needed to drastically increase pay to retain -- basically a combat zone bonus.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top