A’s owner John Fisher issues statement ahead of final Coliseum series

It’s no secret that Oakland Athletics owner John Fisher has become an enemy of not just A’s fans, but Major League Baseball fans in general.

Following years of failed negotiations with the city on a new ballpark that would keep the Athletics in the Bay Area, Fisher struck a deal to move the club to Las Vegas this past November. While Fisher and the A’s wait for a new ballpark to be built in the Nevada desert, the franchise will temporarily call Sutter Health Park in Sacramento home for at least three seasons (2025-27).

This week, the A’s will play their final series at the Coliseum against the Texas Rangers in a three-game set that will conclude on Thursday afternoon.

Large crowds are expected for the final three games, with Thursday’s finale already having been announced as a sellout.

Ahead of what will surely be an emotional week for Athletics fans and citizens of Oakland, Fisher released a statement on Monday that featured an apology to the fanbase–one that the owner says he hopes will stick around as the franchise “moves forward on this amazing journey.”

Statement from Athletics owner John Fisher

More on the Oakland Athletics & MLB relocation to Sacramento

The Oakland Athletics will relocate to Sacramento beginning next season, but plenty of work will need to be done this fall and winter to ensure their home ballpark meets MLB standards by Opening Day 2025.

According to Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, Sutter Health Park will receive major-league upgrades–including an entirely new playing surface–before next season begins.

The West Sacramento ballpark is home of the San Francisco Giants’ AAA affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats, and both the Athletics and River Cats will share the diamond for at least the next three seasons as the city of Las Vegas begins construction on a stadium.

The target date for completing the Las Vegas ballpark is 2028, but many around the league are skeptical that will come to fruition. This means that MLB and Sacramento will need to upgrade Sutter Health Park for the long haul in case the A’s remain in Northern California past the 2027 season.

“They are actually constructing a separate building adjacent to the stadium that will be the home clubhouse,” Manfred said in late May at the conclusion of MLB’s spring owner meetings, per The Athletic‘s Evan Drellich.

“They’re renovating the visiting clubhouse. There’s going to be new artificial turf installed. They are upgrading the camera capability, so they get major-league quality broadcasts out of Sacramento,” Manfred continued. “There are some revenue-associated renovations: some club seating and video boards that are being done in the stadium.

“So, there’s a lot going on there to get it up to snuff for the interim period. They’ve had great receptivity. I think they have seat deposits from, like, 13,000 people or something. They’re doing okay.”

Sutter Health Park and the River Cats are owned by Vivek Ranadive, owner of the Sacramento Kings. Ranadive and A’s owner, John Fisher, hammered out an agreement that will give the Athletics a park to call home following failed negotiations with the city of Oakland on the Coliseum lease.

“I’m thrilled to welcome the A’s to Sutter Health Park, where players and fans alike can enjoy a world-class baseball experience and create unforgettable memories,” Ranadive said. “Today marks the next chapter of professional sports in Sacramento. The passion of our fans is second to none, and this is an incredible opportunity to showcase one of the most dynamic and vibrant markets in the country.”

Major League Baseball approved the Athletics’ proposal for relocation to Las Vegas in November.

Plans are in place for a $1.5 billion, nine-acre stadium at the site of the Tropicana Hotel with the City of Las Vegas granting $380 million in public funding for construction in 2023. However, the ballpark will not open until at least the end of the 2027 calendar year, meaning the first season it could host the A’s in the regular season would be 2028.

Sutter Health Park opened in 2000 and has 10,624 seats, but could be modified to accommodate up to 14,000.

Upcoming Oakland Athletics Schedule

• Friday, September 20th-Sunday, September 22nd – vs. New York Yankees
• Tuesday, September 24th-Thursday, September 26th – Texas Rangers
• Friday, September 27th – Sunday, September 29th – @ Seattle Mariners
• End of 2024 regular season

Upcoming 2025 MLB Offseason Dates

• MLB free agency begins the day after the final World Series game
• Players can sign contracts with new teams five days after the final World Series game
• December 8-11th – MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas, TX
• February TBD – Pitchers & catchers report for Spring Training

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