- The
Oakland Athletics are exploring relocation due to the poor conditions of their current stadium. - Las Vegas and Portland are leading contenders if a new stadium is not approved.
- The team is traveling to the two cities to explore the viability of either as a new home
The Oakland Athletics are visiting Portland, Oregon, and Las Vegas as they consider relocating from California, according to a report from The Oregonian.
An
ESPN reported earlier this month that the Athletics, who have played in Oakland since 1968, were exploring relocating amid struggles to get a new stadium built in the California city.
"The future success of the A's depends on a new ballpark," Fisher told ESPN at the time. "Oakland is a great
The Athletics have played in Oakland since 1968 and are the last major professional
MLB gave the team official approval to start exploring relocation options on Tuesday, May 11 after the city's local politicians have dragged their feet in approving a new $1 billion stadium proposal.
The Raiders, the Athletics' former co-tenant at their current venue, relocated to Las Vegas after similarly failed negotiations with Oakland's city politicians in 2017.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred listed Portland as a potential locations for an expansion franchise, along with Vancouver, British Columbia; Nashville, Tennessee; Charlotte, North Carolina; and Montreal.
Las Vegas would offer the bigger media market with a booming tourism industry and a rapidly growing local economy, which is what drew the Raiders and Golden Knights in. However, Portalnd would allow the Athletics to maintain their roots on the Pacific coast, and allow the team to fulfill its vision of building a waterfront ball park.
-A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) November 28, 2018