Las Vegas mayor says Oakland Athletics move to Sin City ‘doesn’t make sense’

Feb 6, 2024, 4:05 PM

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Oakland Athletics fans fill RingCentral Coliseum during a reverse boycott game against the Tampa Bay Rays on June 13, 2023 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Brandon Vallance/Getty Images)

(Photo by Brandon Vallance/Getty Images)

BY JOSEPH JAROSZ

Sactown Sports

There’s one more person who doesn’t quite understand the Oakland Athletics move to Las Vegas…Sin City’s mayor.

In 2023, MLB owners unanimously approved the A’s relocation from the Bay Area to Vegas. If and when they move, they’ll play in a brand-new $1.5 billion, nine-acre stadium with around 33,000 seats that’ll be built at the site of the Tropicana.

Owner John Fisher and the A’s organization were granted $380 in public funding for construction, which isn’t expected to be complete until at least 2028.

In an interview conducted by Front Office Sports Today, Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman said the plan to build at the Tropicana’s site “doesn’t make sense.” She explained the franchise turned down an opportunity to be on more acres in the “historic old part of town” and that a ballpark at the Tropicana site would cause a lot of congestion.

“I personally think they’ve gotta figure out a way to stay in Oakland and make their dream come true,” Goodman said. “I just know that Mr. Fisher… in my opinion, needs to listen to people that are up there. It’s their team.”

In November, MLB owners unanimously voted to approve the Oakland A’s relocation to Las Vegas.

But @mayoroflasvegas says the team’s plans for the Tropicana site don’t make sense.

“I personally think they’ve got to figure out a way to stay in Oakland."https://t.co/PcYCMzVP3p pic.twitter.com/e1NASi5HCJ

— Front Office Sports Today (@FOS_Today) February 6, 2024

READ MORE FROM SACTOWN SPORTS: Source: If A’s don’t find a home, they could disband until Las Vegas

Shortly after the Mayor’s interview was released, she released a statement, not walking back her comments about the Oakland Athletics, but reiterating that Las Vegas would be excited for a major league baseball franchise.

Statement on today’s conversation about the Oakland A’s. pic.twitter.com/3dOXfFuq3d

— Carolyn G. Goodman (@mayoroflasvegas) February 6, 2024

Oakland Athletics offseason schedule

Spring Training

February 13-15th – Pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training workouts
February TBD – Full squad workouts
Saturday, February 24th – Spring Training opener vs. Colorado Rockies – 12:05 PM PST

Regular Season