The 2024 season will be the 57th and final time the Athletics will play in Oakland.
The Athletics announced Thursday that they will move to a minor league stadium in Sacramento from 2025-27, with an option to stay for an additional year. Sutter Health Park, home of the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, will be a major league stadium for at least three seasons. The Athletics will share the 14,000-capacity park with the River Cats, who will continue to play in the stadium during the Athletics' absence.
The Athletics hope to move to Las Vegas in time for the 2028 season, but the inclusion of a fourth-year option to remain in Sacramento allows the club to consider the possibility of a delay in moving to Las Vegas. It shows that you are making a plan.
“We look forward to making Sutter Health Park our home as we move to Las Vegas,” A's owner John Fisher said in a release. “We would like to thank the Kings and the city of West Sacramento for hosting the Athletics while we work toward completion of the new ballpark in Las Vegas.”
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The Sacramento Kings are majority owners of the River Cats.
When asked if the team would be renamed the Sacramento A's, a spokesperson said the club's name would be “Athletics and the A's” for an interim period.
The Athletics did not say how the move to Sacramento would affect television rights fees. By Thursday, officials briefed on negotiations between the club and NBC Sports California said they expected the Athletics to receive a significant amount of the estimated $70 million in back pay if the team moved to Sacramento. They thought it would be possible to keep it.
The Athletics were in talks with Sacramento and Oakland for their interim home from 2025-27. The team's lease at its current park, Oakland's Coliseum, expires after this season.
“Oakland has proposed a deal that is fair to A and is fiscally responsible for the city,” Oakland Mayor Shen Tao said in a statement. “We wish Company A the best of luck and will continue discussions with them to facilitate the sale of their stake in the Coliseum site.The City of Oakland will now focus on advancing the redevelopment of the Coliseum. Masu.”
The City of Oakland's final offer to remain with the city from 2025-27 includes a $60 million lease extension fee paid by the Athletics, according to people briefed on the negotiations. This was reduced from the proposed $97 million. The Athletics also asked MLB to give the city an exclusive one-year window to find an owner for an expansion team.
“On behalf of all of MLB, we would like to thank West Sacramento, Sutter Health Park, the Kings, and the greater Sacramento region for their excitement in hosting the Athletics on an interim basis as the Athletics' new permanent home is constructed in Las Vegas. Sincerely, Vegas,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said in a release.
It's unclear what renovations or modifications will be needed to ensure Sutter Health Park meets standards required by sports' collective bargaining agreements.
“The MLBPA has been in preliminary discussions with MLB regarding various issues related to temporary relocation, and we look forward to continuing these discussions,” the players' association said in a statement.
Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento will host the A's for the 2025-27 season ahead of the team's relocation to Las Vegas in 2028. pic.twitter.com/KryyjzpLMl
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) April 4, 2024
“Sutter Health Park recently underwent a multi-million dollar facility renovation. We are ensuring that the stadium continues to be renovated to meet MLB standards, including LED lighting upgrades and the addition of a clubhouse. “The Athletics said in a statement.
“We are excited to welcome the Athletics to Sutter Health Park, where players and fans can enjoy a world-class baseball experience and create unforgettable memories,” Kings owner Vivec Ranadivé said in a release. ” he said. “Today marks the next chapter of professional sports in Sacramento. The passion of our fans is second to none, and this is a great opportunity to showcase one of the most dynamic and vibrant markets in the country.”
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said Thursday that the announcement was a “moment of conflicting emotions” and that while he felt Oakland deserved an MLB team, he also felt that Sacramento winning the championship “is a moment of conflicting emotions. And I'm overjoyed for our state.” Mr. A's temporary residence.
“Success breeds more success. Ten years ago, when we came together to save the Kings, many of us said yes because we believed it would have immeasurable benefits for Sacramento's future. Not only did we maintain an NBA team, but we are now (at least temporarily) a Major League Baseball city. There are many great days to come. It's a dream come true.” Steinberg said.
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(Photo: Matt Kartozian / USA Today)
