Oakland has a long history of sports teams that have come and gone, with the most recent departure being the Oakland Athletics (A’s) moving to Las Vegas in 2020. Despite having strong economic indicators such as high median household incomes, Oakland has seen several teams relocate out of the city over the years. Former MLB player Bip Roberts, who is now a real estate investor in the East Bay, believes that Oakland has the audience and financial means to support major-league teams, countering the argument of teams leaving due to lack of support.
Las Vegas, on the other hand, has emerged as a sports capital with teams like the Raiders, the Golden Knights, and potentially an expansion NBA franchise. This shift in focus to Las Vegas is seen in contrast to Oakland’s potential as a major sports market. The departure of the A’s leaves the San Francisco Giants as the sole baseball team in the Bay Area, despite the A’s historical success on the field. The A’s poor attendance in recent years is attributed to a lack of long-term investment in talent by the team’s management.
Overall, the relocation of the A’s to Las Vegas marks a significant loss for Oakland sports fans who have supported the team for years. With memories of the Oakland Coliseum and the impact of losing another professional sports team, there is a sense of sadness and nostalgia among fans and former players like Bip Roberts reflecting on the end of an era for Oakland sports.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com
