Is Sacramento ready for MLB expansion? Former A’s owner weighs in

Is Sacramento ready to make a push for MLB expansion?

Former Athletics owner Lew Wolff is stepping back into the spotlight with his new book Moments, a reflection on the high-stakes decisions that shaped his decades-long career across real estate, hospitality, and Major League Baseball.

In a candid interview on Sactown Sports’ The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross, Wolff offered insight not only into his time with the then-Oakland Athletics but also into the ongoing conversation surrounding baseball’s future in Sacramento.

The 90-year-old was co-owner and Managing Partner of the Athletics from 2005 to 2016 before selling his remaining interest to John Fisher and the rest of the A’s owners.

Wolff said the motivation behind writing Moments was simple: to ensure his decade with the A’s “didn’t go unnoticed.” But it’s also a chance to push back on a narrative he believes has been misunderstood.

“We really tried hard to stay in Oakland,” Wolff said, noting that a lack of cooperation and urgency from local leadership ultimately stalled progress.

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 26: A general view of the stadium signs before the Oakland Athletics play the Texas Rangers at the Oakland Coliseum on September 26, 2024 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

According to him, ownership wasn’t seeking public funding, but rather a workable process to move stadium plans forward—something that never materialized. The Athletics relocated from Oakland following the 2024 season.

Could Sacramento make a push for MLB expansion?

That frustration, he suggests, contributed to the A’s long and complicated relocation saga—one that has now temporarily brought the franchise to Sacramento. While the team is expected to eventually land in Las Vegas, the current stop in California’s capital has reignited conversations about expansion.

Wolff didn’t dismiss Sacramento’s chances.

“Sacramento certainly should be in the mix,” he said, pointing to the region’s population and strong fan support, particularly for the Sacramento Kings. But he also made clear what separates hopeful markets from actual expansion cities: money. “You need a very wealthy group to build a ballpark and pay the franchise fee.”

It’s a blunt but realistic assessment—and one that echoes across Major League Baseball expansion discussions. Cities like Portland and Nashville are often mentioned alongside Sacramento, but as Wolff emphasized, financial backing is the ultimate deciding factor.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 01: A general view of Sutter Health Park before a game between the Athletics and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Sutter Health Park on August 01, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thien-An Truong/Getty Images)

Beyond stadium politics and territorial disputes—including his well-documented frustrations with the San Francisco Giants over South Bay rights—Wolff’s book dives into the broader philosophy of decision-making.

He highlights how many pivotal moments in business and sports happen without perfect information, requiring instinct and timing rather than hindsight clarity.

Perhaps most telling, though, was Wolff’s perspective on fans. Despite the business complexities, he says the game’s core remains simple: people show up to enjoy themselves. “They were there to have a good time,” he said. “That’s sort of the magic.”

For Sacramento, that magic is already present. Whether it becomes permanent may depend on whether the right ownership group steps forward to turn possibility into reality.

Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the Sactown Sports YouTube channel.

Listen to The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross from 6 – 10 a.m. PDT, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.

More MLB content from Sactown Sports

• Where does Leo De Vries fit within the A’s defense?
• A’s star Brent Rooker on embracing Year 2 in Sacramento
• West Sacramento Mayor: Region Pushing for MLB Expansion
• Is Sacramento a legitimate possibility for MLB Expansion?

Upcoming Athletics 2026 Schedule

• Tuesday, April 28th – Thursday, April 30th vs. Kansas City Royals
• Friday, May 1st – Sunday, May 3rd vs. Cleveland Guardians
• Tuesday, May 5th – Thursday, May 7th @ Philadelphia Phillies
• Friday, May 8th – Sunday, May 10th – @ Baltimore Orioles
• Tuesday, May 12th – Thursday, May 14th – vs. St. Louis Cardinals

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