The baseball landscape in California is undergoing a seismic shift. The Oakland Athletics, a team steeped in tradition, announced a groundbreaking plan on Thursday that will see them swap the familiar confines of the Oakland Coliseum for the Sacramento River Cats' Sutter Health Park for the 2025-2027 seasons. This temporary relocation serves as a bridge before the A's make their much-anticipated move to Las Vegas in 2028.
Sutter Health Park, nestled in the heart of Sacramento, will become the unlikely co-haven for both the A's and the River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. While the two teams will share the venue, dedicated facilities will ensure a distinct A's experience for their loyal fanbase. The ballpark boasts a capacity of 10,000, with the potential to expand to 14,000 with the inclusion of a grassy outfield section. Interestingly, this move nearly mirrors the A's current average attendance in Oakland, which hovered slightly above 10,000 fans per game in 2023.
During their Sacramento sojourn, the A's will shed their city moniker entirely, reverting to the more universal "Athletics" or simply, "the A's." This streamlining reflects the team's temporary status and their focus on building a new chapter in Las Vegas.
The driving force behind this relocation is the allure of a state-of-the-art ballpark in Las Vegas, slated for completion in 2028. Spearheaded by owner John Fisher, the A's envision this new stadium as a springboard for their future success. The agreement with the Sacramento Kings and River Cats includes an optional fourth year, a safety net in case any unforeseen hiccups delay the Las Vegas stadium construction. Notably, the A's long-standing lease at the Oakland Coliseum expires after the upcoming 2024 season.
The decision to relocate wasn't made lightly. In the lead-up to the announcement, the A's actively pursued an extension with the city of Oakland. Unfortunately, despite "good intentions on all sides," a deal couldn't be reached, leaving the Athletics with no choice but to explore other options.
A significant logistical hurdle in the relocation process was the A's existing television deal with NBC Sports California, which stipulated playing within the Bay Area. Fortunately, a solution emerged. Recognizing the potential of the A's Sacramento stint, NBC Sports California, also the local broadcaster for the Sacramento Kings, renegotiated their agreement to include coverage of the displaced Major League Baseball team.
This relocation signifies another blow to Oakland's professional sports scene. In a five-year span, the city has seen the departure of both the NBA's Golden State Warriors and the NFL's Raiders, leaving a significant void in the sporting landscape.
With a temporary home secured, the A's can now fully focus on their Las Vegas venture. Public funding for the new ballpark has already been secured, and the Fisher family has pledged to cover the remaining costs, estimated to be around $1.1 billion. With their sights set on the Nevada desert, the A's are poised to embark on a new and exciting chapter in their storied franchise history.
