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Oakland A’s could erase Las Vegas history at Tropicana site

By David Hill |
May 29, 2020; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; General view looking at Las Vegas Blvd southbound at New York New York, Tropicana hotel and casinos. Las Vegas casinos and hotels have been shut down for over two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevada governor Steve Sisolak announced most hotel casinos will reopen June 4 with precautions in place to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY NETWORK
May 29, 2020; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; General view looking at Las Vegas Blvd southbound at New York New York, Tropicana hotel and casinos. Las Vegas casinos and hotels have been shut down for over two months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevada governor Steve Sisolak announced most hotel casinos will reopen June 4 with precautions in place to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY NETWORK

The Oakland A’s have their preferred site when it comes to a ballpark in Las Vegas. They have reportedly placed an offer on the site of the Tropicana Hotel and Casino, although the dollar amount of the bid remains unknown. It is the clearest sign that the A’s are making a strong push to relocate despite their professed desire to remain in Oakland.

That location is getting some pushback. The Tropicana has historical significance in Las Vegas, its place meaning more to some of the residents than any profit margin could indicate.

Oakland A’s could erase history at Tropicana site

Las Vegas has an entire marketing campaign based on a short term memory. The entire concept of “Whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” is a way of saying that the past does not matter, it is all about the present and future. That is certainly the case where a great deal rides on a single roll of the dice or a hand of poker.

But there is some history that is worth saving. The Tropicana is considered to be the epicenter of where Howard Hughes took the city back from the Mafia, setting the stage for Las Vegas to become the tourist destination it is today. That history matters to a percentage of the residents.

There are plenty of other concerns with that location. Traffic would be a disaster on the strip, especially as the A’s would be playing 81 games at that location. The infrastructure is not in place for a stadium to be used that frequently in the area, as housing the players, executives, and coaches would be a concern. Chances are, the ideal option, should the A’s relocate, would be to look to the Summerlin area to build that new ballpark.

But that A’s are determined to build on the strip. While they are looking at becoming a part of the destination aspect of Las Vegas, that may not be a sustainable business model. It does work for the Raiders, but there is a major difference between playing eight or nine games at home and playing 81 games.

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The Oakland A’s desire to build a ballpark at the site of the Tropicana is getting some pushback. An important piece of Las Vegas history could be erased.

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