MLB Rumors: Oakland A's Move to Las Vegas Approved by MLB Owners After Fans' Protests

The Oakland Athletics are one step closer to leaving their hometown for the past 56 years and relocating to Las Vegas.

Per ESPN's Jeff Passan, MLB owners unanimously voted Thursday to approve the A's move amid season-long fan protests in Oakland and ongoing legal issues regarding the site of a new stadium in Vegas.

A's owner John Fisher spoke about the team's impending move to Las Vegas after the relocation vote went his way:

Per USA Today's Bob Nightengale, three protestors dressed in A's colors wearing T-shirts that said "Stay" were at the owners meetings in Texas leading up to Thursday's relocation vote.

Nightengale noted Fisher actually met with the protestors and passed blame for the situation on Oakland government officials for not providing a solution to the ongoing stadium situation.

"It's been a lot worse for me than you," Fisher told them. "Anyway, I just want to let you know I appreciate you guys being here, I appreciate the passion you have shown."

During the season, A's fans staged a reverse boycott to protest Fisher's ownership while offering their support for the team on the field. The June 13 contest against the Tampa Bay Rays was attended by 27,759 fans, the second-highest attendance for a home game in 2023 after an Aug. 5 game against the San Francisco Giants (37,553).

While the Athletics received approval from MLB to relocate, the move to Vegas is far from settled. A political action committee organized by the Nevada State Education Association said in a statement on Tuesday that it plans to file a lawsuit to block the $380 million in public funding for a new stadium on the Las Vegas strip.

Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo approved the public funding bill for the stadium on June 15. Construction on the stadium is expected to begin in April 2025 and be completed in January 2028.

The A's lease at the Oakland Coliseum runs through the end of the 2024 season. Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle noted Oakland mayor Sheng Thao informed the commissioner's office that the team could extend its lease with the city, but included a list of demands to do so.

Among the demands cited were giving up the Athletics nickname when they leave or a guarantee from MLB to be awarded a new franchise whenever it expands.

If the Athletics do leave Oakland when their stadium lease expires, team president Dave Kaval has said the team could play home games at Las Vegas Ballpark, which is the home of their Triple-A affiliate.

The A's have been in Oakland since 1968 after moving from Kansas City. The franchise is one of the charter members of the American League formed in 1901. They have won four World Series titles since arriving in Oakland, including three straight from 1972 to '74.

Oakland's 50-112 record this season was the fourth-worst mark by any MLB team since 2000.