Everything that’s been reported about the A’s relocation since Friday
Feb 19, 2024, 9:31 AM
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 28: With the decision to move from Oakland to Las Vegas fans of the Oakland Athletics protest with signs outside the stadium prior to the start of the game against the Cincinnati Reds at RingCentral Coliseum on April 28, 2023 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Are the Athletics staying in Oakland past 2024? Will they play in Sacramento? Is the team scaping all plans and rebranding as a dance troupe?
Alright, that last one wasn’t part of the weekend-rumor mix, but there’s been a lot that’s come out about the A’s since Friday, Feb. 16.
With one year left on their lease at the Coliseum, news about where the team will temporarily play is growing. Just days after Oakland pitchers and catchers reported to Arizona for spring training, stories from multiple outlets came out about the team’s plans after the 2023 season.
Here’s what we heard about the Oakland Athletics this weekend
The frenzy started on Friday when, following a meeting between the team, city officials, and county officials, Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the city and organization “have had preliminary talks about the possibility of Oakland being guaranteed an expansion team, in return for the city giving the A’s a lease extension at the Coliseum.”
The Oakland Athletics only have one more year, the 2023 season, on their lease at the Coliseum before they have to find a new home until their Las Vegas ballpark is built.
Following that news, a report from Evan Drellich of The Athletic stated that despite recent talks between the Oakland A’s and city and county officials about extending their lease at the Coliseum, the organization could temporarily play in Sacramento while it awaits its new home in Las Vegas.
Drellich said Sacramento is “the front-runner to host the A’s from 2025-27” and that a decision is expected sooner, than later.
A day later, the Las Vegas Review-Journal chimed in, with reporter Mick Akers saying “the A’s are focused on staying in the Oakland Coliseum” before their eventual move to Sin City.
Salt Lake City and Sacramento, California, are still in the mix as potential temporary homes if the A’s preferred option in Oakland falls through, the source said.
READ MORE FROM SACTOWN SPORTS: Rob Manfred suggests A’s fans become Giants fans when team leaves
Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said earlier Friday he expects the 2025 schedule to be finalized by mid-summer, so the league needs to determine where the Athletics will play next year sooner rather than later.
How did the A’s get here?
Last November, Major League Baseball unanimously approved the Athletics relocation from Oakland to Las Vegas. The team plans to build a $1.5 billion, nine-acre stadium where the Tropicana Hotel currently stands. The ballpark, which was granted $380 in public funding for construction in the summer of 2023, could open as early as 2028, if everything goes according to plan.
When does MLB Spring Training start?
Both the Giants and A’s hit the fields on Saturday, Feb. 24. The Athletics face off against the Colorado Rockies and the Giants take on the Chicago Cubs.
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