Athletics

The Oakland Athletics are one step closer to moving.

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo signed a bill Thursday that will help fund a proposed A's stadium in Las Vegas, Sean Golonka, Tabitha Mueller, and Jacob Solis of The Nevada Independent reported.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said Thursday that although the Nevada legislation was "really, really important," the A's would now need to go through "a pretty thorough relocation process... as a prelude to a vote of a clubs," per The Athletic's Evan Drellich.

"It depends in large part on how quickly the A's can get their formal relocation application together," Manfred said.

The bill signed by Lombardo frees up $380 million in public funds to help fund the proposed stadium, which would cost $1.5 billion and seat 30,000.

Oakland called the vote "a significant step forward in securing a new home for the Athletics."

"We are excited about Southern Nevada's dynamic and vibrant professional sports scene, and we look forward to becoming a valued community member," the team wrote in a press release.

There will be a celebratory signing of the bill hosted in Las Vegas in the coming weeks, a spokesperson for Lombardo told KTNV Las Vegas.

"This is an incredible opportunity to bring the A's to Nevada, and this legislation reflects months of negotiations between the team, the state, the county, and the league," Lombardo said.

Before passing the bill, the Nevada Assembly amended the proposal to increase how much the Athletics will be required to contribute annually to the community from $1.5 million to $2 million, Mueller, Golonka, and Solis reported.

When speaking to Drellich, Manfred declined to set a timeline for how long it would take for the MLB to approve the move. Ronald Blum of the Associated Press reported the process could take "months."

The Athletics must submit an application detailing their efforts to stay in Oakland and why things will improve in Las Vegas. The application will then be reviewed by a relocation committee and the MLB executive council before going to the clubs, which must approve it with a three-quarter vote for the measure to pass.

Although Manfred said it was generally the league's "policy and preference to stay put," he also said he believed "owners as a whole" understood how long the Oakland move had been coming.

"They never got to a point where they had a plan to build a stadium at any site," Manfred said. "The community has to provide support and you know, at some point, you come to the realization, it's just not going to happen."

In addition to MLB approval, the stadium requires a thumbs up from the Federal Aviation Administration before it can be built due to its proximity to the Harry Reid International Airport, Golonka, Mueller, and Solis reported.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred spoke with reporters on Thursday in New York after the league's regular owners meetings, and most press conference questions focused on the Oakland Athletics' planned move to Las Vegas.

A's fans expressed their frustration with the decision in a "reverse boycott" on Tuesday at the team's 2-1 home victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.

When asked about the reverse boycott, Manfred said the following, per Evan Drellich of The Athletic.

"It was great. It's great to see what is, this year, almost an average Major League Baseball crowd in the facility for one night. That's a great thing."

That prompted ESPN's Jeff Passan to make this comment:

This is the sort of comment one might expect from @RobM3959201353, not the commissioner of Major League Baseball. https://t.co/LQwmBwmI7J

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 15, 2023

Manfred said he felt sorry for Athletics fans but pointed the finger at the city of Oakland, claiming it did not have a plan to build a stadium for the team to stay.

"I think that the real question is, what is it that Oakland was prepared to do? There is no Oakland offer, OK? They never got to a point where they had a plan to build a stadium at any site. And it's not just John Fisher. You don't build a stadium based on the club activity alone. The community has to provide support and you know, at some point, you come to the realization, it's just not going to happen."

That comment was denied by spokesperson Julie Edwards for Oakland mayor Sheng Thao.

Statement from Julie Edwards, spokesperson for Oakland mayor Sheng Thao, in response to Rob Manfred saying there was no offer for a stadium in Oakland: pic.twitter.com/guRJfmiQF8

— Evan Drellich (@EvanDrellich) June 15, 2023

As far as attendance goes, average attendance at MLB games has been 27,202 in 2023, per Baseball-Reference. The reverse boycott game featured more than than that figure (27,759).

Oakland has averaged an MLB-low 9,076 fans this year, per ESPN. However, there are some clear factors for why that's the case.

For starters, the team has the lowest payroll in baseball, making it very difficult for the team to compete. Despite a recent seven-game win streak, Oakland is just 19-51 on the season.

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum is also consistently ranked among the worst stadiums in MLB. David DeBolt of the Oaklanside summed up the issues in 2022.

"Feces from feral cats, a moth infestation, mold, a nearby homeless encampment, broken seats, and plumbing and water leaks all made the checklist of problems Vice President of Stadium Operations David Rinetti sent to Coliseum Authority Executive Director Henry Gardner in a letter on May 12….

"A's fans on social media have been quick to point out the deficiencies on and off the field, from the cobwebs, broken seats, and problems at concession stands to the doubling of ticket prices, elimination of perks like A's Access, and trading away marquee players under billionaire owner John Fisher."

It's clear team brass isn't heavily investing into the on-field product or the stadium, and that naturally tests fans' loyalties.

For now, the Athletics' season moves forward as they continue a seven-game homestand with the Rays and Philadelphia Phillies.

The Oakland mayor's office is pushing back against Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred's remarks about the Athletics stadium plans, which included him stating there was no offer from the city for a new stadium.

A spokesperson for the Oakland mayor's office said, via ESPN's Joon Lee:

"This is just totally false. There was a very concrete proposal under discussion and Oakland had gone above and beyond to clear hurdles, including securing funding for infrastructure, providing an environmental review and working with other agencies to finalize proposals. The reality is the A's ownership had insisted on a multibillion-dollar, 55-acre project that included a ballpark, residential, commercial and retail space. In Las Vegas, for whatever reason, they seem satisfied with a 9-acre leased ballpark on leased land. If they had proposed a similar project in Oakland, we feel confident a new ballpark would already be under construction."

Manfred fired back against the backlash A's owner John Fischer has received for exploring the possibility of moving the team to Las Vegas, where it would play in a brand new stadium.

He said:

"I feel sorry for the fans in Oakland. I do not like this outcome. I understand why they feel the way they do. I think the real question is what is it that Oakland was prepared to do? There is no Oakland offer. They never got to the point where they had a plan to build a stadium at any site. It's not just John Fisher. ... The community has to provide support, and at some point you come to the realization that it's just not going to happen."

The Nevada Legislature on Wednesday gave approval for public funding to be used for a proposed $1.5 billion stadium in Las Vegas, though it still needs to be approved by Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo.

Once Lombardo signs off, the A's can move forward with their plans and seek final approval from MLB for relocation to the Las Vegas Strip.

The A's have played in Oakland since 1968 after relocating from Kansas City, but the franchise's lease on Oakland Coliseum is set to expire after the 2024 season.

The team initially explored the possibility of building a new $1 billion waterfront stadium in Oakland as part of a $12 billion Howard Terminal project. However, the A's met various roadblocks throughout the process and Manfred ultimately gave the team permission to pursue relocation in 2021 after deeming the Coliseum unfit for the club's future.

After the A's moved one step closer to relocation on Wednesday, fans in Oakland planned a "reverse boycott" in protest of the "team's neglectful and irresponsible ownership."

However, that protest likely didn't do much as the team has had the worst attendance in MLB for several seasons as it continues to disappoint with mediocre performances.

Given how successful teams like the WNBA's Aces, NFL's Raiders and the NHL's Golden Knights have been in Las Vegas, it seems like only a matter of time before the A's head to Sin City.

Oakland A's fans made their voices heard throughout Tuesday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays as part of their reverse boycott to protest the team's leadership group led by owner John Fisher and president Dave Kaval.

Following the Athletics' 2-1 win, trash rained down on the field at Oakland Coliseum from the fans in attendance as part of their final message to Fisher and Kaval.

Lots of trash being tossed on the field after the game. pic.twitter.com/6uWIvhmqy1

— James Ham (@James_HamNBA) June 14, 2023

The reverse boycott was organized by former A's season-ticket holder Stu Clary. It wasn't used as a last-ditch attempt to keep the franchise in Oakland, but rather an attempt to show Major League Baseball that fans "are not the problem" with why no one wanted to buy tickets for the product being put on the field.

The idea is to pack the Coli on a random weeknight, showing @mlb and the country that us fans are not the problem
Hope to see you there. Please share @LockedOnAs @89wastolongago @linusalf @OaklandRooted @OakStadiumWatch @RealRyanMesick @As_Fan_Radio @dipskp @AsHotDog pic.twitter.com/Rwq0LpPuAD

— Stu Clary (@hecanfoos) April 14, 2023

The movement definitely accomplished its mission, as the announced attendance of 27,759 was the largest of the season in Oakland, and fans made their voices heard.

Oakland goes silent to start the 5th, then rapturous, in unison: “Sell The Team!” pic.twitter.com/hJBkz5gqu6

— KNBR (@KNBR) June 14, 2023

ESPN's Jeff Passan noted fans were lined up in one of the stadium parking lots three hours before first pitch to purchase "SELL" T-shirts that were produced by a local clothing company from $39,000 in community donations.

The announced attendance at the Oakland A's reverse boycott game: 27,759.

And the crowd has been absolutely electric. Constantly engaged, chanting for John Fisher to sell the team and trying to remind everyone that Oakland losing baseball is a genuinely bad thing for the sport.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) June 14, 2023

Passan also noted fans could "make their own anti-Fisher signs" at tables set up outside the stadium. There were also a taco truck and a DJ.

On the same day as the reverse boycott, the A's did get one step closer to an expected move to Las Vegas. The Nevada Senate voted 13-8 in favor of passing a bill that would give the team up to $380 million in public funding to build a new baseball stadium.

The bill will now go to the Nevada Assembly where it will need to be approved by a majority vote before Gov. Joe Lombardo signs the bill into law. If that happens, MLB owners would vote to authorize the A's to relocate to Vegas.

The A's have played in Oakland since 1968 after moving from Kansas City. They have made 21 playoff appearances and won four World Series titles during their time in the city.

Tuesday's win was the Athletics' seventh straight and moved them ahead of the Kansas City Royals, who now have the worst record in MLB. Both teams are 31 games under .500, but Oakland is .006 percentage points ahead of Kansas City (.275 to .269).

The Oakland Athletics' fanbase's fierce loyalty has been stretched to its limit and then broken as the team continues its plans to move the franchise to Las Vegas.

News Tuesday that the Nevada Senate approved public funding up to $380 million for a new Athletics stadium in Vegas coincided with the team's fans pulling off a "reverse boycott" for the team's home game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

A horde of fans showed up for an event that included live music, food, games and "Sell" shirts imploring owner John Fisher to sell the team.

Where to get your “Sell” shirt?#OAKtogether #SellTheTeam #FisherOut #WeAreHere pic.twitter.com/L9RjQ7pydF

— Gabriel Hernandez (@gamer_athletics) June 13, 2023

GAMES

Have some fun with the @LastDiveBar where they will have cornhole with A’s President and Owner on the board giving you a chance to make them eat their own 💩.
You can also pick up a cheer card which tells you what chants we are going to be saying throughout the game.… pic.twitter.com/jnSpg9aHdH

— Gabriel Hernandez (@gamer_athletics) June 13, 2023

Plans are also in the works for chants and even a moment of silence during the game.

https://twitter.com/TalkinBaseball_/status/1668780394252992512

An incredible scene developed in Oakland as fans gathered before the game to support the team staying in town.

STAY IN OAKLAND #ReverseBoycott #StadiumScam #FisherOut #WeAreHere #OAKtogether pic.twitter.com/hmAE8Fbg7W

— Gabriel Hernandez (@gamer_athletics) June 14, 2023

The Kelly green #SellTheTeam T-shirts are out in force here in the south parking lot of the Coliseum, as the #OAKtogether “reverse boycott” of the Oakland @Athletics gets underway. pic.twitter.com/RVWkccQZp3

— Jonathan Bloom (@BloomTV) June 14, 2023

This is how you reverse boycott.

Never seen anything like this #Athletics #SellTheTeam pic.twitter.com/h5tp5FVnzm

— Dan Moore (@DmoWriter) June 14, 2023

Twitter recognized the reverse boycott and offered its admiration and support for the movement.

I’m rooting for #Athletics fans tonight #OaklandForever #reverseboycott #OAKtogether #RootedInOakland #FisherOut

— Jamie North (@jamienorth31) June 14, 2023

I applaud the A's fans at the #ReverseBoycott
Fisher is scum. Get him out, and show him why we need these A's.

— some sharks fan (@laniccal) June 14, 2023

As a fan of a city that has now lost two different teams (Stars, Rampage) to Vegas, I really am rooting hard for the A's and their fans. The reverse boycott is awesome, what that owner has done to that franchise is disgraceful, Oakland fans are great and deserve way better https://t.co/jj5J6yQJkM

— ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ (@DilsJones24) June 14, 2023

Damn, so happy seein the turnout for the #ReverseBoycott sad that I couldn’t make it but imma be following every step of the way from CO #SellTheTeam #OAKLAND #FisherOut #OAKtogether

— BallparkBoi (@ballparkboi) June 14, 2023

I can’t wait to see this Oakland reverse boycott tonight, make your voices heard!!!

— Blub (@LioKurta) June 14, 2023

Participating in the #reverseboycott from 35,000 ft. Wish I was heading to Oakland….. #sell #FisherOut pic.twitter.com/eCIbPnicpr

— Jordan Brunel (@thatoaklandkid) June 14, 2023

"It's the grandest display of intentional sabotage you can imagine."@DamonBruce discussed how A's owner John Fisher has decimated his fan base w/ @DSmithShow & motivation between tonight's reverse boycott by A's fans https://t.co/ph1G45OgPZ

— Marty Caswell (@MartyCaswell) June 14, 2023

It's true.#OAKtogether #ReverseBoycott #FisherOut #Sell #SellTheTeam pic.twitter.com/HgeAVPR043

— Matt (@nosoupforgeorge) June 14, 2023

#OaklandForever#Athletics#OAKtogether#ReverseBoycott#Sell#SellTheTeam#FisherOut pic.twitter.com/PdmRwsf6mJ

— Erik Stenholm (@ErikStenholm) June 14, 2023

A reverse boycott is awesome lol https://t.co/mwJsFJtjVA

— mark (@og_marco3) June 14, 2023

The Oakland Athletics have a league-worst 18-50 record with an MLB-low payroll, but the team has won six straight games leading into Tuesday.

The Oakland Athletics are responding to a planned "reverse boycott" during Tuesday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays by donating all ticket revenue to local charities.

The Alameda County Food Bank and the Oakland Public Education Fund will receive the donations, the franchise said in a statement, per Hannah Keyser of Yahoo Sports.

With the reverse boycott in effect tonight in Oakland, the A’s announce that they’re donating ticket revenue from the game to local organizations.

It’s not the worst way to try to mitigate the PR hit. pic.twitter.com/ob1sSWgbsu

— Hannah Keyser (@HannahRKeyser) June 14, 2023

A's fans planned a "reverse boycott" for Tuesday night's game at Oakland Coliseum as the club explores a move to Las Vegas, where they would build a brand-new stadium on the Strip.

Organizers of the event called on fans to attend Tuesday's game in protest of the "team's neglectful and irresponsible ownership."

"I think John Fisher and [team president] Dave Kaval have really done exactly what they wanted to by making the narrative seem like it's the fans' fault," Jeremy Goodrich, a lifelong A's fan, said, per The Athletic's Melissa Lockard.

"Clearly, if I didn't know anything about the A's, I would be blaming the fans as well, because it does look like nobody's going to the games."

We #Athletics fans are calling for solidarity with the Baseball world. This Tuesday the 13th, please #OAKtogether across MLB, MiLB, or ANY game you're near.

Make a sign or "Sell" shirt, or just wear that old A's hat you have laying around and tagging us in a photo.

Thank you.⚾ pic.twitter.com/BJxWRuXhAe

— #OaklandForever - Save The Oakland A's (@Oakland_Forever) June 10, 2023

Only 4,848 fans showed up for Monday night's game, but organizers said more than 25,000 people had purchased tickers for Tuesday's contest, according to Dylan Svoboda of the New York Post.

The A's are currently fifth in the American League West with an 18-50 record, though they are on a six-game winning streak.

Amid the Oakland Athletics' ongoing plans to move to Las Vegas, Congresswoman Barbara Lee has introduced the Moneyball Act, which would require teams that leave their hometown to compensate the communities they are departing.

Specifically, the act states that any MLB team that goes to a new location more than 25 miles from its previous one must provide compensation "not less than the State, local and or Tribal tax revenue levied in the ten years prior to the date of relocation; and paid respectively to each State, local and or Tribal government which levied taxes on the club in ten years prior to the date of relocation."

The act further states that failure to provide payment would lead to "persons in the business of organized professional baseball" no longer being allowed to be exempt from antitrust laws. Per The Athletic, MLB has been exempt from those laws since 1922.

Lee has been a U.S. representative since 1998. She represents California's 12th congressional district, which is located in Alameda County and serves Oakland.

"This legislation will ensure that no city and community is left behind when billionaires decide that lining their own pockets is more important than the community that supports them," said Congresswoman Lee wrote in a statement.

"The Oakland Athletics have been an institution of the East Bay for over half a century. If the A's ownership group decides to leave, Oakland should not be left empty handed."

Congressman Mark DeSaulnier of California's 10th district is introducing the bill alongside Rep. Lee.

The act is named after the book (and later movie) regarding the 2002 Oakland Athletics, a team that won 103 games despite operating with the league's third-lowest payroll and losing star players Jason Giambi and Johnny Damon in free agency.

The A's have been in Oakland since 1968 after moving from Kansas City (1955-1967) by way of Philadelphia (1901-1954). The A's have won six American League pennants and four World Series (1972-1974, 1989) during their time in the Bay Area.

The Oakland Athletics' move to Las Vegas took one step closer to becoming a reality.

According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Nevada state Senate has passed the $380 million bill to help fund the construction of the proposed stadium in Las Vegas for the A's move on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the Nevada state Assembly voted to approve the bill, per Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.

As Passan outlined, once it passed in the 42-person Nevada state Assembly, the bill will be sent to Gov. Joe Lombardo, who Passan described as a "proponent of the A's moving to Las Vegas."

Shaikin added that it is "as close to a done deal as done gets."

Once Lombardo signs the bill into law, the A's would then seek final relocation approval from MLB to depart Oakland, where the franchise has resided since 1968.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale added that team owners said they likely wouldn't vote on relocation approval at this week's New York meetings, but would more likely vote prior to the All-Star break. Nightengale stated that when they do vote, "owners are expected to unanimously approve" the move to Las Vegas.

Passan also noted that A's fans are planning to stage a "reverse boycott" at Oakland Coliseum later on Tuesday in hopes of convincing team owner John Fisher not to move the franchise. However, that effort is likely to be futile amid the ongoing process that appears to be gaining momentum.

The A's are hoping to build a 30,000-seat ballpark with a retractable roof on Las Vegas Boulevard, which would cost a total of $1.5 billion. Earlier this month, a veteran legislative insider told Norm Clarke of The Sporting Tribune that he'd "give it a 50-50" chance that the team's proposal gets approved.

All signs point to the A's having a new home soon.

Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay expressed his support for fans planning to attend the "reverse boycott" during Tuesday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Per the Associated Press, Kotsay is applauding the fans for doing what they can in an attempt to keep the franchise in Oakland amid rumors about a potential move to Las Vegas:

"Being here since 2004, which was my first year in this stadium, the bond that you get with this group of fans and fan base, you know the passion, you know the love regardless like I always talk about of the numbers. The difference this season is they're in an uncharted territory with the direction of this organization. It's only right for them to come out tomorrow and in one aspect peacefully display their feelings toward this organization possibly moving and the hope on our end is they also support the players, and I think they will."

Former A's season-ticket holder Stu Clary originally announced plans for the reverse boycott in April with the goal of packing Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum to show Major League Baseball and "that us fans are not the problem" with the attendance issues.

The idea is to pack the Coli on a random weeknight, showing @mlb and the country that us fans are not the problem
Hope to see you there. Please share @LockedOnAs @89wastolongago @linusalf @OaklandRooted @OakStadiumWatch @RealRyanMesick @As_Fan_Radio @dipskp @AsHotDog pic.twitter.com/Rwq0LpPuAD

— Stu Clary (@hecanfoos) April 14, 2023

Athletics president Dave Kaval announced on April 20 the team finalized a deal to purchase a 49-acre plot of land in Las Vegas to build a new stadium.

Since that announcement, though, a number of obstacles have popped up that make a potential move uncertain. Vegas lawmakers have yet to approve a proposal that would provide $380 million in public funding as part of the proposal for a $1.5 billion stadium.

The Nevada Senate held a special session on Monday to continue debates over the public funding bill, but the session ended without moving forward on the proposal. Casey Harrison of the Las Vegas Sun noted a special subcommittee will meet at 9 a.m. local time on Tuesday "to hear an informal presentation on the proposed project's economic impact and surrounding infrastructure."

The A's have been stripping their roster of its best players in recent years with the goal of saving money. Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, Sean Murphy and Frankie Montas are among the players who have been traded over the past two years.

The Athletics announced that attendance of 2,064 for a May 15 game against the Arizona Diamondbacks was their smallest home crowd since September 1979, per Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle.

Oakland's average home attendance of 8,555 fans is, by far, the lowest in MLB. The Miami Marlins rank 29th with 11,568 fans per game.

Tuesday's planned reverse boycott comes amid the team's hottest stretch of the season. The A's have won six consecutive games, including Monday's 4-3 victory over a Rays team that leads MLB with a 48-21 record.

Kotsay is in his second season as Oakland's manager. The 47-year-old played four of his 16 MLB seasons with the A's from 2004 to '07.

Attendance at Oakland Athletics games has hit record lows this season. The team is on pace for the lowest winning percentage in MLB history, and the franchise's plan to move to Las Vegas is seemingly falling apart.

The A's still beat the Milwaukee Brewers and starting pitcher Adrian Houser 5-2 on Friday.

"I think everyone forgets they're a Major League Baseball team," Houser said about the Athletics, per MLB.com's Martín Gallegos. "Doesn't matter what the record is. ... If their organization doesn't want to win, that's on them. ... They're still competitors. They're still going to try to beat you every time."

Houser fell into an early hole while pitching the first four innings against Oakland, falling behind 4-0 in the second inning.

By the time he stepped off the mound, Houser had given up five runs on six hits and four walks while striking out four batters.

First inning field goal 🙌🏈 pic.twitter.com/MUH4eflp2m

— Athletics (@Athletics) June 10, 2023

Milwaukee got two runs back on a pair of RBI doubles in the bottom of the second but was unable to overcome the early deficit.

In Houser's last appearance during a 5-1 Brewers victory over the Cincinnati Reds on June 4, he held batters to just one run as he allowed six hits and no walks through seven innings while striking out two.

"It was the command," Houser said after the win over the Reds, per Keith Jenkins of the Associated Press. "That's where everything starts. That's how we were able to hide stuff and be able to disguise some other pitches. Just hitting spots and attacking early. Getting those early strikes is a big thing for me."

That command was lacking Friday, as Houser allowed a hit on the first pitch of the game.

The Brewers will look to rebound from their loss to a historically underperforming A's team when the two teams meet again Saturday in Milwaukee at 4:10 p.m. ET.