From who will own the new ballpark to how it will be financed, we tackle some of the most important questions about the Athletics’ planned move to Las Vegas.
Athletics
The Oakland Athletics have landed several endorsements from various Southern Nevada chambers of commerce supporting the MLB team’s potential move to Las Vegas.
People in California’s Bay Area aren’t shy about sharing their feelings on the Oakland Athletics’ planned move to Las Vegas, especially regarding owner John Fisher.
“When the Knights came here, they were born here. They’re like a little baby,” Jeff Evtushek said. “These other teams who come here, it’s like adopting a 50-year-old man.”
The Athletics are baseball’s biggest losers at the betting windows. If a bettor wagered $100 on Oakland in every game this season, they would be down $1,072.
Rob Manfred also said the Oakland Athletics would field a competitive team if the franchise were to relocate to Las Vegas.
The plan, to trot out a noncompetitive team in hopes of getting a sweet new stadium in a tourist-friendly market, didn’t exactly work out in the movie.
Aviators president Don Logan said the natural grass field at Las Vegas Ballpark couldn’t take the beating of more than 150 games a season if the Athletics also played there.
The Raiders owner added on the potential move of the Athletics: “Let’s see what the community benefits plan is. That’s a big part of it.”
The Oakland Athletics reached a labor agreement with the Southern Nevada Building Trades union to use local workers and contractors to build a potential $1.5 billion Southern Nevada ballpark.
Culinary Union 226 isn’t yet ready to welcome the Oakland Athletics to Las Vegas with open arms.
The MLB team proposes a special tax district, which would require the approval of lawmakers, to help finance a stadium near the Strip.
“I won’t forget what they did to us in Oakland,” says Mark Davis.
It will be interesting to see if the worst team in baseball is serious about spending money for the on-field product more than it has in forever.
One of the most frequently asked questions is about the fate of the Aviators — the A’s Triple-A affiliate. A’s President Dave Kaval noted the two teams would coexist in the valley.
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