Can we get real for a second? The Oakland A’s aren’t moving to Las Vegas. Despite the binding agreement for the team to purchase land in Sin City, everything has been done in such a lazy, half-assed fashion. It is as if ownership hired a bunch of high school seniors during the last week of class to organize and launch the project.
Seriously, John Fisher is making the Maloof brother’s attempts to move the Sacramento Kings to Anaheim look professional. That being said, it’s as professional as their ill-fated relocation to Virginia Beach. Talk about ridiculous.
Here’s the deal; I love the Oakland Coliseum. It is the last of a dying breed of sporting venues where fans go to watch games. Some may call it dilapidated, but this is viewed by others as rustic charm. A place where you can basically sit wherever you want, pee in a giant bathtub and be around people who love their city despite it not loving them back.
Related: An honest Oakland Coliseum review
However, I also understand the logic behind the Oakland A’s leaving. Firstly, it’s a nomadic franchise that has a history of moving. Secondly, they can’t play in the Coliseum forever. As much as I love it, the thing is falling apart after decades of neglect. Why it has been allowed to fall into such a state of disrepair is baffling.
If Oakland isn’t going to do something, then it only makes sense for the franchise to look at alternatives. That brings us to the reality of the currently unfolding situation.
The Oakland A’s aren’t moving to Las Vegas.
Never in my life have I witnessed a professional sports relocation announcement met with such indifference. Seriously, Tampa Bay’s attempts to spend half the season in Montreal were greeted with more fanfare.
Meanwhile, A’s leadership can’t even get a plan in front of the Nevada state legislature despite claiming the move to be vital. Let’s try to unpack everything because the reality becomes clear once you do.
1) Where are the renders?
Seriously, how does John Fisher come out with an announcement to move and not have something tangible to show the public? Despite having been at this for seemingly months, A’s ownership was too cheap to spend money on some sort of design concept. This half-hearted map the team shared is pathetic. Make it look like you at least care. Speaking of caring…
2) Las Vegas does not seem to care
The general response of those in Vegas to the A’s moving there has been tepid. And that is probably a generous description. Sure, there are a few locals who spout out homer-isms, but by and large, the reaction hasn’t been great.
In fact, you’ll find multiple Reddit comments with people championing the Triple-A Aviators over their MLB parent. That’s not a good look.
The most common complaint, though, is in regard to financing. Namely, the same people who were cool with taxes going to build the Raiders’ new home are less than keen on doing the same for the A’s.
3) Public money ain’t coming
The backlash to public financing of a potential new stadium, for which renders do not exist, is less than ideal for A’s ownership. That’s because the team needs roughly US$500 million to make the project a reality. The thing is complaints aren’t only coming from residents.
MGM Resorts International CEO Bill Hornbuckle, a man who was instrumental in securing public funds for Allegiant Stadium, has come out against the A’s receiving a similar deal.
“We’re not a fan of any more tax dollars put into this, which we feel the governor’s position and assume that this will be done responsibly for the state, and ultimately for Clark County,” Hornbuckle said.
We also know Fisher is too cheap to foot the bill himself. After all, the A’s would already have a new home in Oakland if he wanted to use his own fortune. Unless he wins the Powerball jackpot, it’s hard to see where this half-a-billion dollars is coming from.
4) The Miami Marlins
Many people have compared the current plight of the A’s to the plot of Major League. And there are certainly some similarities. However, that team of misfits managed to win games. On the other hand, fans as well as officials in both Oakland and Las Vegas probably take one glance at the Miami Marlins and understand why no one should give Fisher a dime.
The team from Florida moved into their publicly financed new digs in 2012. Let’s just say loanDepot Park has not been the game-changing project fans were told it would be. Here is where they ranked over the years:
Bottom four: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2022
Last: 2018, 2019, 2021
That’s right, despite having a brand-new stadium, Miami has the worst attendance in MLB since 2012. That includes finishing below Oakland on multiple occasions. But what about the “owner will have more money to spend on players” argument?
That doesn’t really hold up, either. Only twice have the Marlins had a payroll above US$100 million since loanDepot Park opened. And when they did spend, the results were awful. May we never forget the five-year, US$80 million contract they gave Wei-Yin Chen. Most years, the front office finds its payroll among the league’s smallest.
The Oakland A’s aren’t moving to Las Vegas
Everything here points to a straightforward reality. The Oakland A’s aren’t moving to Las Vegas. Everyone knows the grift John Fisher is trying to run and won’t bite. Vegas’ lukewarm response to the move probably has local politicians thinking twice about moving forward.
Meanwhile, those leading the franchise seem to have no clue about what a move will entail. Calling their efforts amateurish would be a compliment. Even if they do the unthinkable and pull the relocation to the desert off, it’s pretty clear the team won’t benefit. Greedy owners will always grub for money.
Either way, I will enjoy the Oakland Coliseum while it’s still around. Nothing beats helmet nachos and the freedom to sit basically wherever you want.
