Breaking News: Rob Manfred Sends Strong Message To Athletics’ Relocation Plans

Owner John Fisher is still awaiting confirmation of financing and has not yet provided rough drafts of the ballpark. With Opening Day just a month away, the Oakland Athletics are no closer to moving to Las Vegas than they were during the offseason.

Fisher has not finalized his portion of the stadium financing, and several deadlines for revealing ballpark designs have been missed. It seems likely that the A’s will eventually relocate to Las Vegas, but the process has been far from smooth.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred described the relocation plan as “solid,” albeit without strong enthusiasm, and reiterated his expectation for the move to proceed. However, he acknowledged that the process has faced challenges. In an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, Manfred expressed confidence in Las Vegas as a destination for baseball, despite some local political differences. He noted the commitment of the governor and other politicians to the deal, indicating his belief that it will come to fruition.

Apart from securing financing and unveiling stadium designs, the Athletics must also determine their home for the years 2025-2027, as their lease at RingCentral Coliseum expires after the current season and the new Las Vegas ballpark is not scheduled to open until 2028. The team is considering Triple-A facilities in Sacramento and Salt Lake City, among other options, for the interim period.

The urgency of the situation was emphasized by Manfred, who acknowledged to the Chronicle that MLB needs to finalize the 2025 schedule soon. Without knowing where the A’s will play, the league cannot complete the schedule-building process, which typically begins with preliminary drafts in the spring and finalization in July.

The Athletics, who finished last season with the worst record in baseball at 50-112, have a rich history that includes stints in Philadelphia from 1901-1954 and Kansas City from 1955-1967 before their relocation to Oakland.