Maybe the Oakland Athletics’ brain trust just likes to spend time in Las Vegas, get away to someplace quiet during a heated pennant race.
Whatever the reason, team owner John Fisher and president Dave Kaval expected to visit the region again from August 25 to 27, the fifth such trip.
The rationale for the excursion is to continue exploring relocation options after discussions over a new stadium in Oakland ran into a brick wall in July when city council’s proposal fell short of the team expectations. Talks have resumed.
The team execs have come up with more than 20 potential sites in the Las Vegas area for a stadium, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Like the one on Las Vegas Boulevard and Warm Springs Road next to the planned Brightline West high-speed train station and not far from I-15 and McCarran International Airport.
Besides site hopping, the team will meet with various groups and discuss how ticket sales, transportation and parking would fit together.
Since the A’s brass began their exploration into the Las Vegas market, they have had tentative conversations with Hobbs, Ong, and Associates about advising them on the financial aspects of ballpark construction, according to Guy Hobbs, managing director of the firm. They had similar conversations with the Oakland Raiders prior to their move to Las Vegas.
“If you recall with the Raiders, it (Allegiant Stadium) being located in the unincorporated county was certainly different than it being located within the city relative to certain things that could be done, with respect to financial mechanics” Hobbs said. “With the Raiders there was a public element with that and with the A’s I’ve heard the term public-private partnership mentioned.
