• Loading stock data...
Monday, August 4, 2025
Tuned In returns to NYC on September 16. Hear from the biggest names in sports media. Click here to get your spot

MLB Owners Unanimously Approve A’s Relocation To Las Vegas

  • Forthcoming franchise shift is just the second for MLB since 1971.
  • Quick approval by MLB team owners contrasts against rising questions surrounding move.
Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

In the end, there was no dissension for the Oakland A’s relocating to Las Vegas, at least among MLB owners.

Team owners unanimously approved the club relocation early Thursday during league meetings in Arlington, solidifying just the second franchise shift in MLB since 1971. The A’s are due to begin play in a new $1.5 billion Las Vegas stadium in 2028, though questions remain on where the team will play for the 2025-27 seasons.

The approved relocation bid also sets up a lame-duck season in 2024 at the Oakland Coliseum that could be even uglier than the team’s 2023 campaign, during which the A’s posted both MLB’s worst record at 50-112 and lowest attendance at 832,352. 

“I know this is a terrible day for fans in Oakland. I understand that,” said MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. “I think it’s beyond debate that the status quo in Oakland was untenable. … I am absolutely convinced there was not a viable path forward.”

The A’s will also become the first MLB team to call four different cities home, with prior stops in Philadelphia and Kansas City.

Additionally, the club is the fourth major sports franchise to leave Oakland following the Golden State Warriors’ relocation to San Francisco’s Chase Center, the Oakland Raiders’ move to Las Vegas, and the NHL’s California Golden Seals’ move to Cleveland in 1976 to become the Cleveland Barons before folding two years later. 

The unanimous vote arrived despite fans protests and last-minute lobbying from Oakland political leaders, as well as outcry from MLB Players Association leaders. 

The relocation also comes after nearly two decades of active pursuit by the current A’s ownership group to strike a stadium deal in the Bay Area.

“We gave every effort, did everything we could to try to find solution there, and it was only the last couple years we started to turn our attention to another market,” A’s owner John Fisher said.

Not The End Of The Road?

Oakland officials refuse to see this as the end of baseball in that town and vowed to maintain efforts to develop a long-elusive stadium deal there.

“We all know there is a long way to go before shovels in the ground and that there are a number of unresolved issues surrounding this move,” said Oakland mayor Sheng Thao. “I have also made it clear to the commissioner that the A’s branding and name should stay in Oakland, and we will continue to work to pursue expansion opportunities.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

MLB’s Speedway Classic Breaks Record Despite Weather Woes

The special-event game is played, but Sunday’s fan turnout is far less.

Bristol Rain Pushes MLB’s Ambitious Speedway Game to Sunday

MLB will look to replay the postponed game on Sunday afternoon.

Inked Under Anesthesia: Athletes Getting $50,000 Tattoos

High-end studios, elite artist teams, and hours under anesthesia.
Steve Pagliuca

Boston Group Has Deal to Buy Sun For WNBA-Record $325 Million

The league office cautioned that any Boston move was subject to approval.

Featured Today

Coco Gauff at New York Liberty

How the New York Liberty Became the Hottest Ticket in Town

Once banished to the burbs, the Libs are now Brooklyn’s marquee attraction.
Las Vegas sign
July 29, 2025

College Sports Embracing Vegas After Years of Cold Shoulder

The Big Ten became the latest newcomer to Sin City.
2000, Jupiter, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Montreal Expos pitcher Hideki Irabu in action on the mound against the New York Mets at Roger Dean Stadium during Spring Training
July 28, 2025

Dead Sports Franchises Are Alive and Well on Twitter

The Expos, Sonics, and Whalers have active social media accounts.
Limited Hype
July 27, 2025

Sneaker Reselling Was Once Easy Money. Success Is Now Complicated

Vendors need to evolve what they’re selling and how they do it.

Bengals Extend Stadium Lease After $350M in Public Funds for Renovation

The Bengals will stay in the 25-year-old stadium through at least 2036.
July 31, 2025

Ferrari Extends F1 Boss Weeks After Red Bull Fire Horner

Fred Vasseur joined Ferrari in 2023.
August 1, 2025

Commanders Seal Stadium Deal As D.C. Approves $1.1B in Funding

The NFL team’s return to its prior home receives key political support.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
July 30, 2025

Mayor Calls Commanders RFK Stadium Deal ‘a BFD’ for D.C.’s Future

The NFL team makes a series of additional commitments.
July 30, 2025

Trey Hendrickson Ends $450K Holdout Without New Bengals Deal

The defensive end is seeking a raise on his $16 million 2025 salary.
July 29, 2025

Wrexham’s Ambition Replaces Fan Favorites With Pricey Additions

Wrexham has already added six new players.
July 29, 2025

Mario Lemieux Trying to Reacquire Penguins 4 Years After Selling

The former NHL great looks to return to team ownership.