The Athletics are currently in the process of relocating to Las Vegas, with Sacramento serving as their temporary home for the next three seasons. Despite not yet officially moving, the team is already looking towards playing games in other markets. In the team’s proposed 30-year non-relocation agreement, they are requesting to play up to eight home games each season away from their future $1.5 billion Las Vegas ballpark. The Las Vegas Stadium Authority board is set to vote on this arrangement on July 18.
Athletics president Dave Kaval has stated that the team wants to play neutral site home games to strengthen the franchise’s brand and attract players and sponsors. It remains unclear where these games will be played, whether domestically or internationally. The impact of playing a portion of their home schedule elsewhere on player recruitment is also uncertain, as players typically prioritize teams willing to pay market value, something the Athletics have struggled with.
Steve Hill, chairman of the Stadium Authority, mentioned that the Athletics may need to reduce the requested number of non-Vegas home games to avoid affecting their bonding capacity. This funding is crucial for the stadium’s construction. The number of home games played directly affects bonding capacity, according to Hill. Additionally, the Athletics are seeking minority investors to raise approximately $500 million for the stadium’s construction and are still aiming for a 2028 opening.
Typically, Major League Baseball allows teams to play up to four home games in other markets. In recent years, MLB has shown interest in hosting international contests, such as the Seoul and London series, which usually consist of two games only.