Subhi Agrawal
Before sunset on Thursday, Oakland will lose its last major professional sports team as the Athletics play their final home game at the Oakland Coliseum, marking the end of an era for the city.
Oakland Athletics Prepare For Move To Las Vegas
The Athletics, who have been based in Oakland since 1968, revealed plans last year to construct a new stadium in Las Vegas by spring 2028. Until then, the team will relocate to a minor league park in West Sacramento for at least three seasons, as a lease extension with Oakland couldn’t be reached. During this period, the team will simply go by “The Athletics.”
“It’s been a slow death, like going to the doctor and being told you have two years to live,” remarked former state Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, who was a prominent political figure in the East Bay during the 1990s and early 2000s. “There have been so many losses in Oakland, and I think this is the bottom.”
A’s fans, feeling both outraged and heartbroken, have directed their anger toward one main target: John Fisher, the widely criticized owner and heir to the Gap clothing fortune.
Last year, Fisher abruptly ended discussions with Oakland regarding a potential new waterfront stadium. However, even prior to that, A’s fans harbored resentment toward Fisher for perpetually maintaining one of the lowest payrolls in the league and allowing talented players to depart through free agency.
A’s Fans Call For Change Amid Owner’s Failed Stadium Plans
Fisher had proposed building a new A’s stadium near Oakland’s Laney College or in the suburban areas of Fremont and San Jose, but none of these plans advanced significantly.
A’s fans feel that Fisher failed to adequately invest in the team or explore options to remain in Oakland. Consequently, he has faced increasing pressure to sell the franchise to various interested parties in the Bay Area who are committed to keeping the team in the city.
Fisher’s explanation for the unsuccessful attempts to construct a new stadium in Oakland was simply, “We tried.”
Beil called it “a great work of fiction.”
“John, you’re a serial penny pincher. You’ve destroyed your family’s great name and legacy because of your cheapness,” he said.
A’s Departure Leaves Giants As Sole MLB Team In Bay Area
The Golden State Warriors relocated to San Francisco’s Chase Center for the 2019-20 season after calling Oakland home since 1971.
Oakland native and former MLB player Bip Roberts, now a real estate investor in the East Bay, disagrees with the notion that his hometown lacks the audience or financial resources to support a major-league team.
The A’s departure grants the San Francisco Giants complete control of the Bay Area market, making New York, Chicago, the Washington D.C./Baltimore area, and greater Los Angeles the only remaining regions with two MLB teams.
As the last A’s game nears, fans are sharing memories of the Oakland Coliseum on social media, highlighting the profound sense of loss that is beginning to resonate.
“I’m starting to get saddened about what’s about to happen. I’ve been putting off emotions for a long time,” Roberts said.
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