A’s Relocation: Layoffs, Ballpark Changes, and Sacramento’s Opportunity to Shine
The Oakland A’s have officially announced their departure from Oakland after this season, with plans to play in Sacramento for the next three years before moving to Las Vegas in 2028. The team had been in talks with both Oakland and Sacramento regarding an interim home for 2025-2027, but those negotiations have now ended. This marks the end of the 57th season of Oakland A’s baseball.
In 2022, Vivek Ranadivé, owner of the Sacramento Kings basketball team, purchased the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats and their stadium, Sutter Health Park, for $90 million. Ranadivé expressed his excitement about hosting a big-league team in his stadium, which has a seating capacity of 14,000. He believes it will be the most sought-after ticket in America due to its small and intimate nature.
Ranadivé envisions Sacramento becoming the “city of the future” and a place where anything is possible. The River Cats, a San Francisco Giants farm team, will continue to play at Sutter Health Park when the A’s are on the road. The A’s also have an option to stay in Sacramento for a fourth year in 2028, but their team president expects that season will be their inaugural one in Las Vegas.
The relocation of the A’s carries real-life consequences beyond fan heartbreak. Some employees will be laid off as soon as this offseason. The size of the layoffs and which workers will be affected have not been determined yet. The team is committed to providing severance packages and assistance in finding other roles and jobs for those affected.
For Sacramento, this is an opportunity to showcase its worthiness as a major-league city. Ranadivé believes that Sacramento is in pole position to secure one of the two new franchises that Major League Baseball plans to introduce, with one in the West and one in the East. The A’s will play as the “Athletics” during their time in Sacramento, and their road jerseys will not carry a geographical element.
There will be necessary upgrades to Sutter Health Park to accommodate major-league players and meet the requirements of the collective bargaining agreement. The specifics of these alterations and the costs involved are yet to be determined. However, both Kaval and Ranadivé assure that taxpayers will not bear the burden of these upgrades.
The A’s negotiated a reduced rights fee with NBC Sports California to stay on the station during their time in Sacramento. The financial arrangement between the team and the River Cats has not been fully disclosed, but it is described as a business partnership. Ranadivé first proposed the idea of the A’s playing in Sacramento to John Fisher, the A’s owner, and they both believe it will be a showcase for the city.
Although the A’s negotiated a potential fourth year in Sacramento, this is not an indication that the Las Vegas project might not be completed in time. It is simply a smart business decision to have the option available. Construction in Las Vegas is expected to begin in 2025.
Even if Sacramento’s time as a major-league city is short-lived, it will gain significant attention over the next three years. Barry Broome, president of the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, emphasized the importance of building a strong reputation for the city. The A’s management plans to celebrate the team’s Oakland history during this final season.
Overall, this relocation brings about a mix of emotions for fans, employees, and both Oakland and Sacramento. While it marks the end of an era for Oakland, it presents an opportunity for Sacramento to shine as a major-league city. The next few years will undoubtedly be filled with excitement, challenges, and new beginnings for everyone involved.