A’s failed to capitalize on significant potential during Super Bowl week in Las Vegas.
The Super Bowl, the premier sporting event of the year, took place in the prospective future home of the Oakland A’s by 2028. This presented them with a significant opportunity to demonstrate readiness for the move. However, the A’s remained silent, offering no indication of funding or excitement for their arrival in Las Vegas. There were no promotional images of their proposed ballpark, and no notable announcements.
The most notable development from Vegas was the mayor’s initially ambiguous stance on the A’s potential move, later clarified to express openness to MLB in Las Vegas, including the possibility of the A’s relocating there. Despite MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s assertion that the mayor’s comments neutralized each other, her subsequent statement indicated a preference for a baseball team in Vegas, even if it had to be the A’s.
Manfred expressed disappointment at the prospect of the A’s ballpark not being ready by Opening Day 2028, hinting at his waning patience with the relocation process. A vague response from A’s owner Fisher regarding the ballpark’s readiness did little to inspire confidence.
In conversations with prominent baseball writer Ken Rosenthal, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao, along with other key figures, cast doubt on the A’s potential move to Las Vegas. The A’s missed a prime opportunity during Super Bowl week to assert their presence in Las Vegas and address media attention, leaving their relocation plans increasingly uncertain.
