LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Oakland A’s are beginning to complete their final season in the Bay Area as the team’s move to Las Vegas in 2028 has been approved.
The Athletics will call Sacramento home until their new stadium is built at the south end of the Strip. Nearly four years before the big move, the team is trying to gain confidence in its future home.
“Our move to Las Vegas brings with it many exciting opportunities to further expand the town’s rich history and appreciation for baseball,” said Miguel Duarte, A’s chief of staff. “The future of baseball in Southern Nevada has never been brighter.”
Duarte attended a luncheon hosted by the Latin American Chamber of Commerce of Nevada on Friday and talked about how the team has begun to gain popularity in Las Vegas.
“Earlier this year we released the renderings for our beautiful 30,000-seat stadium,” Duarte said. “We really believe it will do justice to the Las Vegas market.”
As part of the A’s contract to build a stadium in Las Vegas, they had to demonstrate how they would benefit the community in order to receive public funding. That community benefits agreement was approved by the Las Vegas Stadium Authority, Duarte pointed out.
“This community benefits agreement includes solid investments for the community and opportunities to engage Southern Nevada small businesses in our efforts for our new ballpark,” Duarte said. “We have begun to form meaningful relationships with Little League teams throughout the community and remain committed to baseball development. We have also supported organizations throughout the target area to share our commitment to enriching the lives of community members.”
What do the locals say about it?
“If you really want to make a mark, you have to go out there and win over the crowd,” said Las Vegas resident Carlos Espinosa. “They’re going to be part of the community and I think Vegas will adapt to them, just like it has with all the other teams.”
Vegas Golden Knights President Kerry Bubolz has helped make the VGK popular and trusted throughout the valley, and he’s optimistic the A’s are on the right track to building a loyal fan base in their new city.
“They’re doing it right,” Bubolz said. “You have to be present in the market, you have to be present in the community. John Fisher, their owner, actually came to us and said, ‘Hey, we like your playbook. We like what you’ve done. Help us, give us thoughts and ideas.’ I’m like a lot of other people. I got a free hat today and I can’t wait for 2028.”
Kerry Bubolz shows off his A’s cap and talks about the team’s efforts to gain the goodwill of the Las Vegas community:
VGK President Kerry Bubolz on the A’s move to Las Vegas
Regardless of the obstacles the team will face over the next three years, most baseball fans in Las Vegas are excited for the team’s arrival.
“It’s almost surreal,” Espinosa said.
“Vegas has always been the center of the entertainment world, and now we’re becoming the center of the sports world. It’s amazing when I look at the graphics of the stadium and see how quickly everything changes. From no sports here to every sport imaginable in the U.S.”
