The Oakland Athletics have reached an agreement to build a potential $1.5 billion stadium on the site of the Tropicana Hotel along the Las Vegas Strip.
Bally’s and Gaming & Leisure Properties announced on Monday a 30,000-seater stadium on the 35-acre site.
The project is expected to cost about $1.5 billion, and the A’s are asking for nearly $400 million in public support from the Nevada Legislature, which could vote on a proposal this week.
Meanwhile, Oakland, Calif. — among the 50 largest cities in the United States — looks set to lose its last “Big Four” sports franchise in seven years once the move is complete in 2027.
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao criticized the A’s for the move after years of working with the organization to try to keep the team on the east side of the San Francisco Bay.
Oakland Athletics has reached an agreement to build a potential stadium on the site of the Tropicana Hotel
The hotel sits on a 35-acre site that will now be used for a $1.5 billion, 30,000-seat stadium
Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao lambasted the A’s after years of working with the organization
“I am deeply disappointed that the A’s have chosen not to negotiate with the City of Oakland as a true partner, in a way that respects the long relationship between the fans, the city and the team,” Thao said. in a press release.
“Still, it’s clear to me that the A’s have no intention of staying in Oakland and have simply used this process to try and get a better deal from Las Vegas. I’m not interested in continuing to play this game – the fans and our residents deserve better.
A statement released by the A’s appears to claim that they tried to stay in Oakland, but a deal simply couldn’t be reached.
“For more than 20 years, the A’s have focused on securing a new home for the club and have invested unprecedented time and resources in the past six years to build a ballpark in Oakland,” says team statement.
“Even with the support of fans, leaders at the city, county and state level, and throughout the wider community, the process of building a new baseball stadium in Oakland has made little progress since then. some time. We made a strong and sincere effort to stay here.
“We recognize that this is very difficult to hear. We are disappointed that we were not able to realize our shared vision of a waterfront baseball stadium.
“As we focus on Vegas, we will continue to share details on next steps.”
The new deal is a scaled-down proposition, but the location is closer on foot for fans staying at hotels on the south end of the Strip.
Athletics began playing at Oakland Coliseum in 1968 after moving from Kansas City
But from the 2000s, the Colosseum began to show serious signs of its age.
Since the 2000s, the A’s have also failed to win an AL pennant or come close to a World Series.
“We are excited about the potential to bring Major League Baseball to this iconic location,” A’s president Dave Kaval said in a statement.
“We are excited to work alongside Bally’s and GLPI, and look forward to finalizing plans to bring athletics to Southern Nevada.”
Kaval said he hopes to innovate next year and open the site in time for the 2027 season.
The A’s have a lease at Oakland Coliseum through 2024, and they could play the 2025 and 26 seasons at the Las Vegas Ballpark, home of affiliate Triple-A Aviators.
The Tropicana opened in 1957 and in its heyday attracted the likes of Sammy Davis Jr. Now the Trop is overshadowed by nearby megaresorts such as the MGM Grand, New York-New York and Mandalay Bay, and soon it will likely meet the fate of so many other historic Las Vegas hotels that are no longer there.
The Tropicana has been a historic staple of the famous Las Vegas Strip since the 1960s
Elizabeth Taylor and Eddie Fisher hold hands as they leave Tropicana Night Club
Like most hotels and casinos in Vegas, the Tropicana offers a wide range of games to play.
In recent years, however, it has been overshadowed by luxury resorts like the MGM Grand
The Mandalay Bay Hotel has also become one of the Strip’s most popular attractions.
“We are honored to have been selected to partner with the Oakland Athletics on this monumental milestone in helping to bring Major League Baseball to the great city of Las Vegas, and to be part of the unique opportunity to have a professional baseball team located steps from the Las Vegas Strip,’ Bally President George Papanier said in a statement.
“The Tropicana has been a Las Vegas landmark for generations, and this development will enhance this iconic site for generations to come.”
Despite the obvious enthusiasm from those in Vegas, news of the move received a long-awaited response of displeasure from more than Mayor Thao.
A legend Reggie Jackson recently expressed his feelings of anger over the situation.
The city, I thought, really needed to do something. Save the A’s, said Jackson Sportico.
‘You lost the Warriors. You lost the Raiders. What’s wrong with you? You don’t see that coming? The fans don’t deserve this… I blame the people running the business. We must keep the team for the benefit of the city. They lost all three.
Fans gathered outside the Oakland Coliseum to protest the move to Las Vegas
Many brought handmade signs calling on owner John Fisher to sell the MLB franchise
They also chanted “Sell the team!” and “Stay in Oakland!” before and during several matches
Athletics fans have also mingled with ‘Fisher sucks’ chants during games this season as well
Golden State left for Chase Center in San Francisco in 2019, while the Raiders packed up and moved to Sin City in 2020.
Fans who showed up at the ballpark also made their feelings clear by demonstrating outside the ballpark and bringing signs and homemade jerseys calling on the property to sell the team.
Others launched a direct attack on owner John Fisher, shouting “Fisher sucks” from the stands.
“Obviously they have every right to do whatever they want and wear whatever t-shirts they want, say whatever they want, because they paid for their ticket,” the player said. A’s second goal, Tony Kemp. “So yes, it’s a shame that we have come to this situation.”
