It’s not just a coincidence that three days before a crucial vote in Oakland news broke that MLB would not charge the A’s a relocation fee if they moved to Las Vegas.
Athletics
If the Oakland Athletics end up moving to Las Vegas, Major League Baseball wouldn’t charge the team a relocation fee, sources with knowledge of the situation told the Review-Journal.
Whether the Oakland Athletics end up in Las Vegas, one thing is apparent: Major League Baseball has its eye on Southern Nevada.
Many baseball insiders believe the Oakland A’s current struggles are only temporary based on the build, contend and tear down cycle the franchise is known for.
Oakland Athletics president Dave Kaval told the Review-Journal he didn’t have a timeline on when the potential Las Vegas stadium site could be announced.
Ryan Ludwick and Larry Brown, who will be inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame, said Las Vegas is capable of being home to the Oakland Athletics.
Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said the Tampa Bay Rays and Oakland Athletics need to reach new ballpark deals soon and left open the possibility of considering relocation if agreements are not struck.
Oak View Group, led by noted arena builder Tim Leiweke and former Raiders executive Marc Badain, plans to construct a 20,000-seat view south of the Strip.
The Oakland A’s Las Vegas ballpark site search is down to two sites, an A’s source indicated. A Las Vegas tourism official has mentioned possible public funding help.
The Oakland Athletics’ efforts to get a new ballpark in the Bay Area received a boost as a key group recommended approval of a change needed to keep the ball rolling there.
One Bay Area beer company is catching heat from Oaklanders as their Athletics-themed beer had a special message printed on the bottom of some cans.
“I think it’s safe for me to say that they have a very, very strong interest in our site if the transaction can work to their advantage,” Gaming & Leisure Properties top executive Peter Carlino said during a Friday earnings call.
Two sites in the vicinity of the Las Vegas Strip have emerged as frontrunners for where the Oakland Athletics could potentially build a ballpark in Southern Nevada.
Former A’s top prospect began the current home stand the same way he ended the first one — by hitting a walk-off home run and receiving a Gatorade bath at home plate.
Las Vegas resident and former Milwaukee Brewers slugger Eric Thames is trying to make it back to the majors at age 35.
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