The Oakland A’s are still in limbo, but Las Vegas is ready to welcome them for a permanent vacation.
The team played spring training games against the Cincinnati Reds in Las Vegas over the weekend, stirring conversation that the city could one day be the A’s full-time home.
“It’s no secret that we’ve been pursuing paths in Oakland and Vegas,” said A’s manager Mark Kotsay. “But regardless of all that, we’ve been there before, and it’s our Triple-A home. I think it’s a great thing to take in for fans, a weekend of baseball in Vegas.”
While numerous details remain to be addressed before the team could sign off on a move to Sin City, leaders in Las Vegas are making their enthusiasm known — a contingent that includes Don Logan, COO of the A’s Triple-A affiliate Las Vegas Aviators.
“Las Vegas offers a dynamic that no other team has. We have 45 million visitors annually in this market, and that’s what we want — heads in beds,” Logan told ESPN. “My perspective: make the best deal you can in Vegas and start to turn this community on.”
That sentiment was echoed by former A’s great Jason Giambi.
“They want it, the people are hungry for it here,” said Giambi. “Every night is sold out at the [NHL’s Golden] Knights. Every night is sold out at the Raiders. Not only are you drawing your own fans, but you’re drawing everybody else, too.”
