Athletics agree to play in Sacramento temporarily as they await completion of Las Vegas stadium

The Oakland Athletics are making a move to Las Vegas, but not before a pit stop in Sacramento. The team has struck a deal with the Sacramento Kings, owners of the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, to play in their stadium from 2024-2027 while their new Vegas stadium is being constructed, with an option to extend their stay to 2028. The A’s will relocate to Sutter Health Park once their lease in Oakland expires at the end of the 2024 season.

A’s owner John Fisher expressed his gratitude to the Kings and the City of West Sacramento for hosting the team during this transitional period. However, the team will not go by the name Oakland A’s, Sacramento A’s, or Las Vegas A’s while in Sacramento, but simply as the Athletics and A’s.

The move comes amidst a backdrop of controversy and fan unrest in Oakland, where the A’s have faced backlash for their decision to leave. The team had considered various options, including staying in Oakland or sharing a stadium with the San Francisco Giants, before settling on Sacramento as their temporary home.

The A’s exit from Oakland has not been well-received, with protests and low attendance plaguing the team this season. Despite the challenges ahead, the A’s are determined to push forward with their plans for a new stadium in Las Vegas, even if it means enduring some tough years in the interim. As they prepare to make their mark in a new city, the A’s are hoping for a fresh start and a brighter future ahead.