• Loading stock data...
Saturday, December 14, 2024

A’s Reach Deal to Leave Oakland for Sacramento After This Year

  • The organization announced the deal after meeting with officials from Oakland and Sacramento this week.
  • The deal is for at least three years while the team attempts to build a stadium in Las Vegas.
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland A’s are officially moving—to Sacramento. 

In a joint release, A’s owner John Fisher and Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé—who owns the minor league team that currently plays in Sacramento—announced the A’s will play their home games at Sutter Health Park from 2025 to ’27 ahead of a planned move to Nevada in ’28. 

“I’m thrilled to welcome the A’s to Sutter Health Park, where players and fans alike can enjoy a world-class baseball experience and create unforgettable memories,” Ranadivé said in a release. “Today marks the next chapter of professional sports in Sacramento.” 

Officials from the A’s met with local officials Wednesday, a day after they met with the city of Oakland and Alameda County and came away far apart on a deal to remain the Bay Area. The city had asked for $97 million whether the team played in the Coliseum for three years or longer. That was a significant increase over what the team had been paying in rent and made the Sacramento move likely.

The deal has an option for a fourth year, should the Las Vegas ballpark not be ready in time. A team spokesperson told The Athletic that the team will have no city name attached while it plays in Sacramento.

The Giants’ Triple A affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats, currently play in Sutter Health Park. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the A’s plan to play in Sacramento while the River Cats are on the road.

Playing in Sutter Health Park could be an adjustment for players used to major league amenities, and the ballpark itself is snug by MLB standards. The ballpark barely fits MLB’s minimum dimensions with 325 feet to right field, the required minimum distance from home plate, 403 feet to center and 330 to left. “The MLBPA has had preliminary discussions with MLB about a range of issues related to the temporary relocation, and we expect those discussions to continue,” a union spokesperson told FOS.

Former MLB pitcher Trevor Hildenberger, who pitched for the River Cats in 2023, said the stadium was far short of big league standards. “No family room, no mother’s room, no shade or bathrooms in the bullpens, only 1 shared batting cage,” Hildenberger wrote Thursday. “If you thought the coliseum facilities were lacking …”

“We look forward to making Sutter Home Park our home through our move to Las Vegas,” Fisher said in the statement. “We extend our appreciation to the Kings and the city of West Sacramento for hosting the A’s while we work to complete our new ballpark in Las Vegas.”

The A’s quest for a new ballpark has been erratic as the organization has mishandled renderings and timelines among numerous other issues. Las Vegas mayor Carolyn Goodman previously told Front Office Sports Today that the team’s current planned location in Vegas “does not make sense.” 

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has wanted a Vegas plan from the A’s for some time. Manfred has said it would be a disappointment if the A’s can’t pull off their Vegas move by 2028. He will step down as commissioner in ’29. 

“On behalf of all of MLB, I want to express my appreciation to West Sacramento, Sutter Health Park, the Kings and the greater Sacramento region for their excitement to host the A’s for interim play, as the A’s new permanent home is built in Las Vegas,” Manfred said.

This breaking news story has been updated.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

The Top-Secret Operation to Create the Army-Navy Football Uniforms

The two-year process includes dozens of employees, NDAs, and military historians.
Mina Kimes and Ryan Clark at NFL draft

ESPN Talent Turns Its Fire on Aaron Rodgers

The network’s NFL talent ripped the QB as ‘hypocritical’ this week.
Georgia defensive lineman Mykel Williams (13) goes in for a sack on Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) during the second half of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.

How the CFP’s On-Campus Guinea Pigs Are Handling Historic December Home Games

The biggest games in school history will be when students are home for break.
Cody Bellinger

The Astros Cheating Scandal Still Looms Large Five Years Later

It may end up a major factor in the Cubs’ and Yankees’ offseasons. 

Featured Today

Nov 2, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of a Wilson NBA basketball held by a referee during the second half between the Utah Jazz against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena

‘Obvious Weak Point’: Refs Remain an NBA Gambling Concern

A season after Jontay Porter, the biggest risk may not be players.
Nov 2, 2024; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines cheerleader runs with a flag before the game against the Oregon Ducks at Michigan Stadium.
opinion
December 7, 2024

College Football’s Billionaire Backer Era Begins

Is this the new normal in CFB recruiting?
LA Galaxy forward Dejan Joveljic (9) celebrates with midfielder Riqui Puig (10) after scoring a goal against Seattle Sounders FC in the second half in the 2024 MLS Cup Western Conference Final match at Dignity Health Sports Park
December 6, 2024

With or Without Messi, Major League Soccer Is Barreling Into the Future

After the Cup final, the league looks to accelerate its growth.
Dec 18, 2022; Lusail, Qatar; FIFA president Gianni Infantino claps during the awards ceremony after the 2022 World Cup final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium.
December 2, 2024

FIFA Wants More Matches. Resistance Is Growing Inside the Global Soccer World

Resentment and frustration over expanded schedules is nearing a breaking point.

NBA Cup Prize: Every Player Wants the Money, But One Would Get..

Each player on the championship team will win nearly $515,000.
Dec 9, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) hoists the NBA Cup and celebrates with teammates after winning the NBA In-Season Tournament Championship game against the Indiana Pacers at T-Mobile Arena.
December 12, 2024

NBA Cup Year 2: Tweaks, Schedule Concerns, and Growing Pains

While Vegas has been the event’s location for the last two years, that could change because the NBA may add an expansion team in Sin City.
Indiana Fever forward Aliyah Boston (7) celebrates with Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) altering recording a triple-double Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Los Angeles Sparks, 93-86.
December 13, 2024

The Meteoric Rise of Women’s Basketball in 2024

The business of women’s basketball exploded this year.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
December 12, 2024

NBA Cup Schedule May Benefit Losing Teams, League Exec Defends Format

An NBA executive told FOS all stakeholders agreed on the format.
David Bonderman
December 11, 2024

David Bonderman, Kraken Founder and Powerful Investor, Dies at 82

Bonderman was quietly a major figure in sports.
Oct 20, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie pre game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.
December 11, 2024

Bills, Eagles, Dolphins Approve Adding New Minority Owners

Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady join the list of Bills owners.
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) walks to the locker room after the game of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Texans held off the Jaguars 23-20.
December 11, 2024

NFL, Nike Extend Uniform, Apparel Partnership Through 2038

Financial terms of the extension were not disclosed.