In a historic move, Major League Baseball (MLB) team owners gave the green light for the Oakland Athletics to relocate to Las Vegas. This unanimous approval marks a significant shift in the landscape of the MLB, making the A’s the first team to move since the Washington Nationals emerged from the Montreal Expos in 2005.
The decision was a formality, with a resounding two-thirds vote from MLB’s 30 teams. The move positions the Athletics as the fourth professional sports team to call Las Vegas home, joining the ranks of the Vegas Golden Knights (NHL), Las Vegas Aces (WNBA), and the Raiders (NFL).
This relocation saga follows decades of frustration for both the team and its loyal fan base. The aging Oakland Coliseum and the lack of support from local governments for a new ballpark left the A’s with no choice but to explore new horizons.
A Ballpark Odyssey: From A’s to Z
The Athletics’ journey has been nothing short of a baseball odyssey. From its inception in 1901 until 1954, the team played in Philadelphia, securing five World Series championships. A brief stint in Kansas City followed, with no championships, before landing in Oakland in 1968, where the A’s claimed four more World Series victories.
Recent seasons have seen the A’s face challenges, considered one of the struggling teams in baseball. Their last World Series win dates back to 1989, and the quest for championship glory has been elusive in recent years.
Earlier attempts to build a new stadium in Oakland, particularly at Howard Terminal, failed to materialize, prompting the team to cast its gaze toward Las Vegas. Despite an initial hiccup in their land acquisition plans, the A’s eventually struck a deal for the former Wild Wild West Gambling Hall & Hotel site, now owned by Bally’s and Gaming & Leisure Properties.
In a pivotal move, the Nevada Senate granted $380 million in public financing for the construction of a state-of-the-art 30,000-seat ballpark, projected to cost a total of $1.5 billion. The new venue, set to open in 2027 at the earliest, promises a modern home for the A’s in the heart of Las Vegas.
A Farewell to the Tropicana: Demolition on the Horizon
With the relocation plan now in motion, the fate of the Tropicana, a historic venue, is sealed. The 35-acre Bally’s site, chosen for the new stadium, spells the end for the Tropicana. Once a Cuban-themed resort that opened its doors in 1957, the Tropicana holds the title of the Strip’s third-oldest continually operating casino resort, trailing only the Flamingo and Sahara.
As the demolition gears up, the Tropicana’s final chapter is set to close by late 2024. This move signals not just a shift in the MLB landscape but also a transformative moment for Las Vegas, solidifying its status as a major player in the realm of professional sports.
The Athletics’ move to Las Vegas is more than a change of location; it’s a bold step into a new era for both the team and the city. As the A’s embark on this exciting journey, baseball enthusiasts and Las Vegas locals alike eagerly anticipate the opening of the new ballpark, where the crack of the bat will echo against the backdrop of the vibrant Las Vegas skyline.
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