Report: Sacramento strong contender to host itinerant A's

Field Level Media|published: Sat 17th February, 12:11 2024

Sep 24, 2023; Oakland, California, USA; Fans watch Detroit Tigers designated hitter Miguel Cabrera (24) swing at a pitch against Oakland Athletics starting pitcher JP Sears (38) during the fifth inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. credits: Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports

Sacramento has emerged as a strong contender to host the Oakland Athletics as they await construction on a new ballpark in Las Vegas, The Athletic reported.

Last year, unable to secure a new stadium deal in California, A's owners announced their intention to leave the aging Coliseum in Oakland and head toward the desert. With a stadium on the Las Vegas Strip not scheduled to open until 2028, and the current lease on the Coliseum ending after the 2024 season, the A's will need a place to play for three seasons.

The Athletic reported Friday that Sacramento is the frontrunner for the A's, with staying in Oakland on a short-term deal and playing in Salt Lake City as other possibilities.

Per the report, team and Oakland city officials met Thursday to discuss a possible lease extension that would have the A's staying in town through 2027. The advantage to staying in Oakland would be allowing the team to maintain its television contract with NBC Sports California — and gain the income from it.

The Athletic reported that a shift to Sacramento would allow the team to "keep a considerable portion of the money" on the contract, whereas they'd have to find new TV revenue in Salt Lake City.

In Sacramento, the A's would play at Sutter Health Park, the home of the San Francisco Giants' Triple-A affiliate. It seats about 14,000 fans.

—Field Level Media