Viva Las Veg-A’s? Oakland Athletics Move To Sin City Still In Play

Las Vegas remains a potential future location for the Oakland Athletics.

The rumor about a Major League Baseball team relocating to Las Vegas isn’t recent news. As early as 2018, there were speculations about the demolition of The Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino to create space for a new baseball stadium.

The rumor about the Rio being sold for a baseball stadium turned out to be false. The new proprietors, Dreamscape Companies LLC, have no intention of creating space for a baseball stadium. Instead, they have partnered with Hyatt hotels to remodel the current hotel and casino.

Although the rumor about Rio may not be pertinent anymore, there’s still a chance that the A’s might emulate the former Oakland Raiders and relocate to a new stadium in Las Vegas.

Where in Las Vegas would the A’s play?

If the A’s are unable to secure an agreement with Oakland for a new stadium in California, they are contemplating Las Vegas as a backup location. The team’s leaders have already toured Las Vegas, investigating over 20 possible stadium sites.

The A’s are set to explore the former MGM Resorts Festival Grounds at the intersection of Sahara Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard as their next location. The owner of Circus Circus and Treasure Island, Phil Ruffin, presently owns 60 acres of this vacant land.

The A’s are even contemplating hosting games at their Triple-A affiliate stadium, Las Vegas Ballpark, as a new building is being constructed somewhere in Las Vegas.

What’s going on in Oakland?

Despite the city of Oakland’s agreement to explore new stadium options, the situation remains uncertain. This week, Oakland City Council members voted with a 6-1 margin in favor of a nonbinding term sheet for the proposed waterfront ballpark of the Oakland Athletics.

The vote didn’t support the proposal that the A’s were expecting. Instead, the city approved a revised counter-proposal. David Kaval, the President of Athletics, expressed to the city council that the team was hoping for a positive vote on their proposal or a similar alternative. He stated that a positive vote on the city’s counteroffer doesn’t represent a way forward.

In summary, the A’s and Oakland will persist in investigating the feasibility of this proposal, despite its unpopularity with the team. The MLB commissioner, Rob Manfred, is also not particularly pleased with the proposal.

At my insistence over the past four years, the Athletics have devoted substantial resources and made a significant commitment to their community, with the aim of remaining Oakland’s sole major professional sports franchise.

We are disheartened by the City Council’s decision to vote on a proposal that the A’s had not consented to. We will promptly initiate talks with the A’s to plan the Club’s future course.

It remains unclear what the path forward is for the A’s.

Something’s gotta give for Oakland A’s

Oakland will persist in examining a stadium proposal that neither the A’s nor MLB approve of. Despite this being part of the negotiation process, Las Vegas still presents a feasible option for the A’s should they choose to relocate.

A compromise is necessary as no current situation is completely ideal for the A’s. The city of Oakland is not yet willing to approve the franchise’s dream stadium complex. Moreover, Las Vegas lacks a stadium that is ready for MLB. Lastly, the A’s have not yet considered other cities for potential relocation.

This entire situation might undergo changes. Las Vegas might construct a stadium complex for the A’s. The team might consider moving to another city. Alternatively, Oakland could negotiate with the A’s to modify the current plan into something more feasible for the team.

As we await a decision, Las Vegas locals and fans can persist in brainstorming entertaining Las Vegas A’s merchandising concepts.