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Oakland A’s may not be able to move to Las Vegas after all

By David Hill

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: An Oakland Athletics hat sits near the dugout during the game against the Houston Astros at RingCentral Coliseum on September 25, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 25: An Oakland Athletics hat sits near the dugout during the game against the Houston Astros at RingCentral Coliseum on September 25, 2021 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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The Oakland A’s have hung Las Vegas over the City Council as though it is the Sword of Damocles. Either the A’s get what they want as it pertains to the Howard Terminal Project or they will leave town. As Major League Baseball gave their approval for the A’s to explore relocation, such a move remains a distinct possibility.

At least, it had remained a possibility. That is, until Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak has reportedly pushed back against using state funds for a new stadium for the A’s, potentially blocking a move and putting the team back to square one in terms of relocation.

Las Vegas may not be an option for the Oakland A’s

According to that report from the New York Post, the A’s have the backing required from the league and would have the needed votes from owners to relocate. It is simply a matter of having some public funding for the envisioned stadium – a 30,000 seat capacity domed ballpark in the midst of Las Vegas.

The problem is that MLB wants the state to put forth at least $275 million towards the new stadium. While that is less than Arlington paid to the Texas Rangers warehouse of a ballpark, that is also $275 million more than Sisolak reportedly wants to provide.

It is possible that he is receiving pushback from the casino industry. They were not enthused with the idea of the Raiders coming to town, but were pacified when they were persuaded that the vast majority of people coming to town for those games may not have arrived otherwise.

Sisolak, meanwhile, has denied that report. While he admits that he does not support another tax to pay for the stadium, he claims that he is not holding up relocation or refusing to provide public funds.

Nonetheless, Las Vegas does not appear to be the given it had been if the Howard Terminal Project falls apart. The A’s do have other potential suitors should they need to find another relocation spot, with Portland and Mexico City listed amongst their west coast options. As their lease on the Coliseum expires after 2024, the A’s will need to determine their next step soon.

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The Oakland A’s were expected to relocate to Las Vegas if the Howard Terminal Project falls apart. However, that may not be the given it once was.