• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Sorry, Sacramento: Your MLB Team Will Only Be Known As the Athletics 

The MLB club’s decision to just be known by its nickname veers from more than a century of typical practice in U.S. pro sports.

Stan Szeto-Imagn Images

Very little about the ongoing relocation saga of the A’s has been normal, and that now certainly applies to the club’s preferred naming during its planned three-year interim stay in Sacramento. 

The MLB club issued a set of “brand transition guidelines” this week in which it made the radical decision to drop any geographic signifier from its name while it plays the 2025–2027 seasons at Sutter Health Park. The franchise said it now prefers to be called the Athletics on a first reference and A’s on subsequent ones. Abbreviations for box scores and listings such as league standings will refer to the team as “ATH,” instead of a reference to a city or state.

The shift was teased this past summer when the league’s release of the 2025 regular-season schedule also listed the A’s as “ATH” without a geographic signifier. But the team’s latest step shows the further depths to which the franchise is committed to being known this way—and also spotlights the team’s current itinerant nature. After an emotional farewell in September in Oakland, the A’s intend to move in 2028 to Las Vegas, where demolition recently occurred at the planned ballpark site.

Even other major pro teams that have gone without a traditional nickname, even temporarily, such as the NHL’s Utah Hockey Club or the NFL’s Washington Football Team before they became the Commanders, still led their franchise identity with a place name. 

Local Issues

The A’s, MLB, and MLB Players Association all continue to make various preparations for the 2025 season at Sutter Health Park—also the home of the Giants’ top minor-league affiliate, where extreme summer temperatures have been a serious issue. 

The three parties recently agreed to maintain a grass field there, and newly issued game times for next year show the A’s playing 60 of 81 home games at night in an attempt to mitigate the heat effects. But union leader Tony Clark said during the World Series that the team playing in a minor-league ballpark still presents many complications.

“There’s still a lot of work that needs to be done,” Clark said of the Sacramento situation. “It’s taken a while to polish some of the rough edges. We’ve been able to move forward on some of that, but any way you bake it, it’s making the best of what is a very challenging situation.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The Yankees’ $319M Roster Flopped. Now Comes the Hard Part: 2026

The MLB club’s current contracts limit its flexibility somewhat for next year.
exclusive

Bud Selig: ‘Remarkable’ Brewers Run Can’t Mask MLB’s Money Divide

The former commissioner lauds his hometown team while raising economic concerns.

MLB’s Rare October Day: Four Playoff Games, Four Possible Clinchers

Four separate clinching opportunities are available during the day.
Mar 19, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; USA shortstop Trea Turner (8) throws to first base for an out during the first inning at LoanDepot Park.

Fox Picks Up Media Rights to 2026 World Baseball Classic

The network will repeat its role in the international baseball tournament.

Featured Today

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.

RAJ Sports Withdraws Lawsuit Over Trail Blazers Stake

RAJ Sports had sued the Cherng family, owners of Panda Express.
Cleveland Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel (5) throws as quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) looks on during rookie minicamp May 9, 2025, in Berea.
October 9, 2025

Browns Paying $41.6M to 8 QBs, but Only 2 Are on Their..

Cleveland traded Joe Flacco to the Bengals this week.
October 13, 2025

Titans Turnover: Brian Callahan Firing Adds to Pattern of Instability

Tennessee fired coach Brian Callahan six games into his second season.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
October 6, 2025

Connor McDavid Signs Short-Term Deal, Eyeing Oilers’ Cup Window

The three-time Most Valuable Player signs for below his market value.
October 1, 2025

Cardinals Vow Changes Coming After Historic Attendance Drop

A stalwart franchise looks to correct an alarming slide in attendance.
September 30, 2025

Tyreek Hill’s Injury Complicates Financial Future With Dolphins

Releasing the receiver after this season would cost $28 million.
Jun 12, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) and relief pitcher Edwin Diaz (39) celebrate after defeating the Washington Nationals at Citi Field.
September 29, 2025

Two of the Mets’ Biggest Stars Could Dictate Important Offseason

The Mets missed the playoffs despite having one of baseball’s highest payrolls.