West Sacramento will host MLB as A’s confirm temporary home

Sacramento area will host MLB as A’s confirm temporary home at Sutter Health Park

Updated: 5:25 PM PDT Apr 4, 2024

HOURS. BACK TO YOU. GREAT TO SEE THE SPRING SNOW MARK. THANK YOU SO MUCH. OUR OTHER BREAKING NEWS TODAY. IT IS OFFICIAL THE OAKLAND A’S ARE COMING TO SUTTER HEALTH PARK IN WEST SACRAMENTO. THIS WILL BE THE TEAM’S TEMPORARY HOME AS IT PREPARES TO EVENTUALLY MOVE TO LAS VEGAS. THIS IS WHAT AN INCREDIBLE DAY THIS IS EPIC. IT’S HISTORIC. IT IS AN EXCITING, ALMOST UNBUILT DAY FOR AREA BASEBALL FANS, AND IT FEELS LIKE IT HAPPENED SO QUICKLY WITHIN THE LAST 24 HOURS, WE LEARNED ABOUT THIS. SO WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THIS IS ALL GOING TO WORK OUT. YEAH, IT’S JUST UNBELIEVABLE REALLY. THE ANNOUNCEMENT LEADING TO A RANGE OF EMOTIONS FOR A’S FANS AND JUST FANS OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL OVERALL. KCRA 3’S DEL RODGERS AND MICHELLE DAPPER LIVE FOR US AT SUTTER HEALTH PARK TO HELP WALK US THROUGH WHAT THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MEANS FOR OUR AREA AND WHAT COULD HAPPEN NEXT. DEL WILL START WITH YOU. YEAH, FIRST OF ALL, WELCOME TO, UH, SUTTER HEALTH PARK HERE IN WEST SACRAMENTO, WHERE IT’S NOT BASEBALL WEATHER. MICHELLE. IT IS WRINGING WET RAINY BEHIND US HERE AT SUTTER HEALTH PARK WHERE THE RIVER CATS DO PLAY. BUT AS YOU SAID EARLIER, IT IS OFFICIAL. THE, UH, SUTTER HEALTH PARK IS NOW HOST STADIUM TO THE SACRAMENTO RIVER CATS AND NOW THE OAKLAND ATHLETICS. TEMPORARILY IN ANY WAY. MICHELLE. YEAH. AND OF COURSE, AS I SAID, WIDE RANGE OF EMOTIONS WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY. OF COURSE, THE A’S FANS, THE KIND OF BITTERSWEET ABOUT THIS. OF COURSE THEY’RE COMING FROM OAKLAND. DO THEY WANT TO STILL SUPPORT THIS OWNERSHIP GROUP? LOTS OF QUESTIONS THERE. THE CITY OFFICIALS HERE IN SACRAMENTO AND WEST SACRAMENTO VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY. THEY’RE GOING TO BE SHARING THIS BALLPARK WITH THE RIVER CATS. SO THERE’S A LOT OF PROS AND LOTS OF CONS DEPENDING ON WHAT SIDE OF THE AISLE YOU STAND ON. WELL, LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE DETAILS. AFTER IT WAS ANNOUNCED TODAY HERE IN WEST SACRAMENTO. THE DEAL IS FOR FOR THREE MLB SEASONS TO BE PLAYED HERE STARTING NEXT YEAR. THERE WILL BE THREE SEASONS OF MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL RIGHT HERE IN WEST SACRAMENTO. AND THERE IS AN OPTION FOR A FOURTH SEASON. NOW THE TEAM WILL SIMPLY BE KNOWN AS THE ATHLETIC WITH NO CITY DESIGNATION. DURING THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD, SACRAMENTO KINGS OWNER AND THE OWNER OF SUTTER HEALTH, WHO IS THE OWNER OF SUTTER HEALTH PARK AND THE OAKLAND ATHLETICS OWNER JOHN FISHER, TALKED ABOUT THE EXCITEMENT. WE’RE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING A’S PLAYERS AND FANS WITH A WORLD CLASS BASEBALL EXPERIENCE AT SUTTER HEALTH, WHILE ALSO CONTINUING THE BELOVED TRADITION OF OF MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL AND THE SACRAMENTO RIVER CATS. HOW EXCITED I AM TO BE HERE IN WEST SACRAMENTO IN SUTTER HEALTH PARK, UH, CELEBRATING A A MOMENTOUS DAY FOR THIS COMMUNITY AND A MOMENTOUS DAY FOR OUR. 123 YEAR OLD FRANCHISE. PEOPLE ASK, WILL THIS BE ON IT? AND AUDITION FOR SACRAMENTO AS IT CONTINUES TO GROW AND ATTRACT MORE, INCLUDING THE POTENTIAL FOR FUTURE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL EXPANSION AND MY ANSWER IS YOU BET IT WILL BE AN AUDITION. I KNEW THAT ANSWER WAS COMING. YOU KNOW, IT’S PRETTY SIMPLE TO SAY THAT ONE CITIES LOSS IS ANOTHER CITY’S FORTUNE. ABSOLUTELY. OF COURSE. CORRECT THERE. AND OF COURSE, EARLIER TODAY, VIVEK RANADIVÉ TOLD ME THAT THIS DEAL ACTUALLY CAME ON VERY QUICKLY. AND THEY HAD TO ACT FAST ON THIS. AND AGAIN, THIS IS THE TIME FOR SACRAMENTO TO AUDITION FOR A PERMANENT MLB TEAM. AND SO IT IS SAD TO SEE THAT ERA END. BUT I ALSO THINK THIS CAN BE ANOTHER INCREDIBLE CHAPTER IN OUR HISTORY AS AN ORGANIZATION AND A MAJOR LEAGUE BALL CLUB. WE’VE KEPT THIS TEAM FOR A FEW MORE YEARS IN OUR STATE CAPITAL, AND IT’S OFFICIAL, THE ATHLETICS WILL CALL WEST SACRAMENTO THEIR TEMPORARY HOME FOR THE NEXT THREE SEASONS, WITH A FOURTH YEAR OPTION. WE’RE GOING TO PLAY AS THE ATHLETICS. YOU KNOW, I THINK BECAUSE WE’RE KIND OF IN AN INTERIM PERIOD. WELL, YOU’RE GOING TO SEE WORLD CLASS BASEBALL IN THE MOST INTIMATE STADIUM IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL. SUTTER HEALTH PARK, HOME TO THE SACRAMENTO RIVER CATS, A TRIPLE-A BALLPARK THAT WILL BENEFIT FROM SOME UPGRADES IN THE COMING MONTHS. WE WILL HAVE A NEW CLUBHOUSE, AND WE WILL MAKE UPDATES THAT ARE IN KEEPING WITH MLB STANDARDS. WE’RE GOING TO BE ROLLING OUT ALL THE DIFFERENT UPDATES TO THE COMMUNITY, BUT IT’S GOING TO BE A MIX OF PLAYER AMENITIES AS WELL AS ACTUAL FAN AMENITIES. WITH THE ATHLETICS SHARING THE BALLPARK WITH THE RIVER CATS, IT PROVIDES A CHANCE FOR WEST SACRAMENTO TO AUDITION FOR A MORE PERMANENT MLB TEAM. I’VE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE COMMISSIONER AND I’VE GOTTEN TO KNOW HIM, THE ROB MANFRED AND THEY WILL BE, UH, CREATING A NEW TEAM. THEY WANT IT TO BE ON THE WEST COAST. THEY’D LOVE FOR IT TO BE IN CALIFORNIA. AND I THINK THIS IS A GREAT SHOWCASE FOR US. WE CAN PROVE THAT THERE’S A MARKET HERE. WE CAN MAKE THE TEAM SUCCESSFUL. YEAH. SO SACRAMENTO WILL SOON BE ON THE CLOCK. ONE OTHER PERK, THOUGH, BEING A FAN OF A CASUAL BASEBALL FAN, SEEING THE TALENT THAT’S GOING TO COME THROUGH THIS BALLPARK, THIS IS GOING TO BE KIND OF FUN. I THINK IT REALLY WILL BE, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE DIGNITY FOR THE SURROUNDING CITIES HAD A LOT OF POSITIVE THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THIS, INCLUDING THE MAYOR OF WEST SACRAMENTO. THIS IS GOING TO BRING AN ECONOMIC PROSPERITY HERE FOR ALL OF OUR RESTAURANTS, FOR BANQUETTES, THE BARN DOWN THE STREET, DOWN TO MIDWAY GRILL AND ALSO SAL’S AND OTHER RESTAURANTS THAT ARE UP AND DOWN THE BEAUTIFUL RIVERFRONT. IT’S GOING TO BE A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN STAY, EAT, RIDE YOUR BIKE HERE AND JUST COME IN EVERY WHICH WAY YOU CAN. WE HAVE EVERYTHING IN PLACE. WE’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS MOMENT. WE’VE BEEN BUILDING THE RIVERFRONT FOR THIS MOMENT. WHAT I LOVE BEST ABOUT THIS IS, YOU KNOW, IN ORDER TO CHANGE YOUR OWN COMMUNITY’S FUTURE, WE’VE HAD TO CHANGE HOW WE THINK AND SEE OURSELVES AND WE’VE STRUGGLED TO SEE OURSELVES REACHING OUR FULL POTENTIAL. AND I REALLY THINK THIS IS, YOU KNOW, THERE’S A SAYING WHEN YOU’RE WORKING TOGETHER IN A COMMUNITY AND YOU WANT IT TO BE IT’S MOST INSPIRED STATE. HOW DO YOU GET YOUR COMMUNITY ON THE MAP? WE’RE ON THE MAP TODAY. AND I GOT TO TELL YOU, I WANT TO ADD ONE THING. THE LATE, GREAT ART SAVAGE, WHO WAS THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE SACRAMENTO RIVER CATS WHEN HE BROUGHT HIM BACK FROM TORONTO TO SACRAMENTO TO WEST SACRAMENTO 24 YEARS AGO. HE ENVISIONED TO HOST A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAM PERMANENTLY HERE. ART SAVAGE. THE LATE ART SAVAGE. YOU GOT HALF YOUR WORDS, AT LEAST THEY’RE HERE TEMPORARILY. AND MAYBE ONE DAY AN MLB TEAM WILL CALL WEST SACRAMENTO HOME. THAT WAS HIS GOAL WHEN HE BOUGHT THE SACRAMENTO RIVER CATS HERE. AND HE BUILT THIS STADIUM TO BE ERECTED TO GO UP MORE, TO BRING IN MORE FANS. AND HE MADE SURE HE PURCHASED THE PARKING LOT AREA SO THEY CAN HOST MLB CROWDS. YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. IT’S ALL COMING TOGETHER AND OF COURSE, EVERYONE’S ASKING, WHAT ARE THE GIANTS? THINK ABOUT ALL THIS? NOW WE KNOW THAT SUTTERVILLE PARK IS THE HOME OF THE SAC RIVER CATS, THE GIANTS TRIPLE-A AFFILIATE. WELL, DAVE KAVAL SAYS THE PRESIDENT OF THE ATHLETICS SAYS, HEY, THE GIANTS HAVE BEEN SUPPORTED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE PROCESS. GIANTS, AS OUR PARTNER IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL, HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN ENSURING THAT WE HAVE A GOOD INTERIM HOME FOR THE A’S, AND LARRY BAER AND HIS TEAM AND GREG JOHNSON HAVE BEEN GREAT TO WORK WITH ON THAT. AND OBVIOUSLY, WE’RE GOING TO BE SHARING THE FACILITY. THEY’LL HAVE THEIR TRIPLE-A TEAM HERE. WE’LL HAVE THE MAJOR LEAGUE TEAM HERE, BUT I THINK IT CAN BE DONE IN A POSITIVE WAY, AND THE FACILITIES ARE GOING TO BE ENHANCED. SO IN THE END, EVERYBODY’S GOING TO WIN. NOW, OF COURSE, NOW TO THE SAD SITUATION ABOUT THIS SAD REALITY THAT’S GOING TO TAKE PLACE IN OAKLAND. THEY ALSO HAVE ANNOUNCED LAYOFFS ARE LIKELY TO COME. THE STAFF HERE WITH THE WITH THE ATHLETICS HERE IN WEST SACRAMENTO IS GOING TO BE PRIMARILY MADE UP OF THE RIVER CAT STAFF, AS WELL AS THE SACRAMENTO KINGS AND SOME POSSIBLE MOVES FROM OAKLAND. BUT NOT EVERYONE IS COMING. THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME REDUCTION IN OUR IN OUR STAFFING. YOU KNOW, THAT’S JUST IT’S PART OF THE SITUATION. IT’S IT’S A SAD THING. AND, YOU KNOW, I WE HAVE A GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE WITH THE A’S AND THEY’VE DONE A GREAT JOB IN PUTTING A GREAT PRODUCT OUT THERE. BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT COMES WITH THIS. AND WE’RE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE RIGHT SEVERANCE PACKAGES, AND WE HELP PEOPLE WITH PLACEMENT, AND WE JUST DO WHAT’S RIGHT, AND THERE’S GOING TO BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOME OF THEM UP HERE OR EVEN IN VEGAS, BECAUSE WE’RE GOING THERE TOO. SO THERE’S MULTIPLE WAYS. NOW, A LOT OF THESE RELOCATION PROCESSES DEPEND ON A TV DEAL. TV DEAL. THAT’S RIGHT. BIG MONEY. RIGHT. SO OF COURSE BY THE THE ATHLETICS COMING UP HERE TO WEST SACRAMENTO, THEY CAN STILL KEEP A LARGER PORTION OF THAT PERCENTAGE OF THAT TELEVISION DEAL BY BEING HERE IN WEST SACRAMENTO. YOU KNOW WE HAVE A LONG TERME PARTNERSHIP WITH NBC CALIFORNIA. THEY’VE BEEN A GREAT PARTNER OF THE A’S ALL THE WAY BACK TO 2008. WE CONTINUE THAT HERE. PEOPLE CAN WATCH THE GAMES ON NBC CALIFORNIA, THE SAME CHANNEL THAT THEY CAN WATCH THE KINGS. SO I THINK IT’S A GREAT PARTNERSHIP. WE’RE EXCITED TO CONTINUES. AND THEY’VE BEEN A POSITIVE PARTNER IN MAKING THIS HAPPEN. YES. THE, UH, A’S HAVE NEGOTIATED THE DEAL. SO ALL OF THAT, ALL OF THOSE LOOSE ENDS HAVE BEEN TIED UP. WHAT’S THE TIMELINE FOR THE UPDATES THAT YOU MENTIONED? WELL, WE HAVE TO BE READY BEFORE THE SEASON STARTS AND WE’LL WORK HARD TO. WE HAVE A CULTURE OF EXCEPTIONAL TEAM AT THE KINGS, AND WE HAVE A CULTURE OF EXCEPTIONALISM OVER HERE. SO WHATEVER WE DO WILL BE EXCEPTIONAL. EXCEPTIONAL, OF COURSE, KINGS FANS, THEY CAN ALSO WATCH THE ATHLETICS ON THAT SAME VERY CHANNEL. WOW. NBC SPORTS CALIFORNIA VIVEK RANADIVÉ GETTING IT DONE. WE CAME BACK WHEN HE CAME TO TOWN. HE SAID HE’S GOING TO GET IT DONE. PROFESSIONAL SPORTS. WE BROUGHT HIM HERE. THAT’LL DO IT HERE. LIVE AT SUTTER HEALTH PARK. THE NEW TEMPORARY HOME OF THE OAKLAND ATHLETICS, AT LEAST FOR THREE YEARS ANYWAY. NOW BACK TO YOU. YEAH, IT’S SO GREAT. IT STILL DOESN’T EVEN FEEL REAL YET. BUT I WAS THINKING ABOUT SOMETHING DALE AND MICHELLE WHEN I WAS A KID. WENT TO GO SEE THE TEXAS RANGERS AT THE OLD ARLINGTON STADIUM IN ARLINGTON. AND IT WAS SMALL. AND I JUST REMEMBER UBER LOOKING BACK, WHAT A GIFT IT WAS TO SEE BASEBALL IN SUCH A SMALL STADIUM. AND WE’RE GOING TO GET THAT GIFT HERE NEXT SEASON RIGHT? IT’S GOING TO BE UP AND CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THESE PLAYERS HERE. AND WHEN YOU GUYS, GUYS LIKE AARON JUDGE FROM LINDEN AND FRESNO STATE WHEN HE COMES TO TOWN, RHYS HOSKINS WHEN HE COMES TO TOWN, YOU’RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SEE THOSE GUYS EXPRESSION ON THEIR FACE FROM SITTING FROM THE STANDS. YOU WON’T NEED THE TV CAMERA TO ZOOM INTO THEM AND SEE THEIR EXPRESSION ON THEIR FACE. THINK ABOUT WHAT THAT’S LIKE FOR KIDS. LEGEND BEING A LITTLE KID IN THE STANDS AND THINKING, OH MY GOODNESS, IT’S GOING TO BE A SPECIAL TREAT. FOR THREE YEARS. I THINK IT REALLY WILL BE FOR BASEBALL FANS. YEAH. AS YOU MENTIONED, I MEAN, WE’RE GOING TO GET TO SEE SOME GREAT TALENT COME THROUGH WEST SACRAMENTO. AND I THINK THAT’S WHAT’S GREAT ABOUT OUR REGION IS THAT, UH, IT’S TIGHT KNIT AND YOU GET TO SEE THAT INTIMATE EXPERIENCE UP CLOSE. SO IT’LL BE COOL WHAT CAN HAPPEN IN THREE YEARS, TOO? HOPEFULLY THEY DON’T HAVE TO PLAY IN WEATHER LIKE THIS. YEAH, HOPEFULLY THEY LIKE TO PLAY IN WEATHER LIKE THIS BECAUSE THIS AIN’T BASEBALL WEATHER.

Sacramento area will host MLB as A’s confirm temporary home at Sutter Health Park

Updated: 5:25 PM PDT Apr 4, 2024

Major League Baseball is coming to West Sacramento after days of closed-door negotiations involving the A’s seeking a temporary home, a release from the Sacramento Kings said. This comes a day after sources told KCRA 3 that A’s owner John Fisher met with Sacramento representatives, including Vivek Ranadivé of the Sacramento Kings, of which they are a majority owner of the Sacramento River Cats.“I’m thrilled to welcome the A’s to Sutter Health Park, where players and fans alike can enjoy a world-class baseball experience and create unforgettable memories,” Ranadivé said in a release. “Today marks the next chapter of professional sports in Sacramento. The passion of our fans is second to none, and this is an incredible opportunity to showcase one of the most dynamic and vibrant markets in the country.” Ranadivé later told KCRA 3 that he viewed the decision to bring the A’s to Sacramento as an audition for a permanent team.The A’s will play at Sutter Health Park for the next three seasons — there is an option for a fourth season — as the team’s permanent home in Las Vegas is not expected to be ready until 2028.The A’s’ lease in Oakland expires after the 2024 season.“On behalf of all of MLB, I want to express my appreciation to West Sacramento, Sutter Health Park, the Kings and the greater Sacramento region for their excitement to host the A’s for interim play, as the A’s new permanent home is built in Las Vegas,” said Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred in a release.A statement from Fisher explained that the A’s felt “the conditions to achieve an agreement” with a temporary lease in Oakland “seemed out of reach.””We understand the disappointment this news brings to our fans, as this season marks our final one in Oakland. Throughout this season, we will honor and celebrate our time in Oakland, and will share additional details soon,” Fisher said in a statement.| RELATED | Layoffs loom for Oakland Athletics staff as team moves to SacramentoAt a 10 a.m. news conference, Vivek Ranadivé thanked Fisher for what he called an opportunity to “show the world why Sacramento is a destination city for major league sports.” He said his experience with the Kings and Golden 1 Center has shown the world that the region can be a Mecca for sports.Watch the full news conference belowFisher also spoke of the excitement that will be watching MLB players knock home runs out of Sutter Health Park.Ticket sales are already up for games at Sutter Health Park. Information on pricing for the 2025 season will be available once the MLB schedule is released later this summer.Find out more ticket info here.How Sacramento-area officials are reacting to A’s coming to townSacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg described the news on Facebook as a “moment of conflicting emotions.” He said Oakland deserves professional sports and that the circumstances leading to the A’s’ departure were beyond the city of Sacramento’s control.”I am over the moon for my city, our region and our state,” Steinberg said in his post. “Today’s announcement will give Sacramento a historic opportunity to once again showcase why we were are one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic cities in the country.” | MORE LIKE THIS | Sacramento-area radio host Carmichael Dave reacts to A’s newsThe presence of an MLB team in Sacramento is already bringing excitement about an expected economic boost.Barry Broome with the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, who described West Sacramento as the “little engine that could,” said he estimates there will be about $650 million in economic impact, akin to the impact of bringing a university to town.Broome also said that he hopes this area could become the site of a permanent MLB stadium.“We are going to embrace you, A’s,” West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero said. “Your fans are going to have a great time.Asked about how Sutter Health Park will be able to accommodate both the River Cats and the A’s, she said, “Those are details the team owners will work on. We are going to make it work.”Guerrero also credits working with Ranadivé and Fisher in making the temporary home for the A’s happen.“Together, with our neighbors across the river in Sacramento, there will be no shortage of amenities available to A’s fans and those from visiting teams,” said West Sacramento City Manager Aaron Laurel in a release.West Sacramento city leaders also want people to know about nearby entertainment options for those unfamiliar with the area near Sutter Health Park. Those include Drake’s: The Barn, Franquette, and several other options in the Bridge District and along the Third Street corridor — within walking distance of the ballpark. How will the A’s affect the Sacramento River Cats?Sutter Health Park is already home to the Sacramento River Cats, who have made it clear they don’t plan to cut down on any home games.The release explains that both teams will have dedicated facility space. MLB is also working with the teams to make sure schedules meet both MLB and MiLB guidelines.There were initially some concerns about the West Sacramento venue not being able to hold an MLB-sized crowd being able to fit only 14,000 seats. However, the A’s have only been averaging about 7,000 fans a game. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Major League Baseball is coming to West Sacramento after days of closed-door negotiations involving the A’s seeking a temporary home, a release from the Sacramento Kings said.

This comes a day after sources told KCRA 3 that A’s owner John Fisher met with Sacramento representatives, including Vivek Ranadivé of the Sacramento Kings, of which they are a majority owner of the Sacramento River Cats.

“I’m thrilled to welcome the A’s to Sutter Health Park, where players and fans alike can enjoy a world-class baseball experience and create unforgettable memories,” Ranadivé said in a release. “Today marks the next chapter of professional sports in Sacramento. The passion of our fans is second to none, and this is an incredible opportunity to showcase one of the most dynamic and vibrant markets in the country.”

Ranadivé later told KCRA 3 that he viewed the decision to bring the A’s to Sacramento as an audition for a permanent team.

The A’s will play at Sutter Health Park for the next three seasons — there is an option for a fourth season — as the team’s permanent home in Las Vegas is not expected to be ready until 2028.

The A’s’ lease in Oakland expires after the 2024 season.

“On behalf of all of MLB, I want to express my appreciation to West Sacramento, Sutter Health Park, the Kings and the greater Sacramento region for their excitement to host the A’s for interim play, as the A’s new permanent home is built in Las Vegas,” said Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred in a release.

A statement from Fisher explained that the A’s felt “the conditions to achieve an agreement” with a temporary lease in Oakland “seemed out of reach.”

“We understand the disappointment this news brings to our fans, as this season marks our final one in Oakland. Throughout this season, we will honor and celebrate our time in Oakland, and will share additional details soon,” Fisher said in a statement.

| RELATED | Layoffs loom for Oakland Athletics staff as team moves to Sacramento

At a 10 a.m. news conference, Vivek Ranadivé thanked Fisher for what he called an opportunity to “show the world why Sacramento is a destination city for major league sports.” He said his experience with the Kings and Golden 1 Center has shown the world that the region can be a Mecca for sports.

Watch the full news conference below

Fisher also spoke of the excitement that will be watching MLB players knock home runs out of Sutter Health Park.

Ticket sales are already up for games at Sutter Health Park. Information on pricing for the 2025 season will be available once the MLB schedule is released later this summer.

Find out more ticket info here.

How Sacramento-area officials are reacting to A’s coming to town

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg described the news on Facebook as a “moment of conflicting emotions.” He said Oakland deserves professional sports and that the circumstances leading to the A’s’ departure were beyond the city of Sacramento’s control.

“I am over the moon for my city, our region and our state,” Steinberg said in his post. “Today’s announcement will give Sacramento a historic opportunity to once again showcase why we were are one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic cities in the country.”

| MORE LIKE THIS | Sacramento-area radio host Carmichael Dave reacts to A’s news

The presence of an MLB team in Sacramento is already bringing excitement about an expected economic boost.

Barry Broome with the Greater Sacramento Economic Council, who described West Sacramento as the “little engine that could,” said he estimates there will be about $650 million in economic impact, akin to the impact of bringing a university to town.

Broome also said that he hopes this area could become the site of a permanent MLB stadium.

“We are going to embrace you, A’s,” West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero said. “Your fans are going to have a great time.

Asked about how Sutter Health Park will be able to accommodate both the River Cats and the A’s, she said, “Those are details the team owners will work on. We are going to make it work.”

Guerrero also credits working with Ranadivé and Fisher in making the temporary home for the A’s happen.

“Together, with our neighbors across the river in Sacramento, there will be no shortage of amenities available to A’s fans and those from visiting teams,” said West Sacramento City Manager Aaron Laurel in a release.

West Sacramento city leaders also want people to know about nearby entertainment options for those unfamiliar with the area near Sutter Health Park. Those include Drake’s: The Barn, Franquette, and several other options in the Bridge District and along the Third Street corridor — within walking distance of the ballpark.

How will the A’s affect the Sacramento River Cats?

Sutter Health Park is already home to the Sacramento River Cats, who have made it clear they don’t plan to cut down on any home games.

The release explains that both teams will have dedicated facility space. MLB is also working with the teams to make sure schedules meet both MLB and MiLB guidelines.

There were initially some concerns about the West Sacramento venue not being able to hold an MLB-sized crowd being able to fit only 14,000 seats. However, the A’s have only been averaging about 7,000 fans a game.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app.