This week, during the owner’s meetings in MLB, they were expected to vote on the issue of the Oakland Athletics relocation process.
A’s owner John Fisher has been pushing to move the team to Las Vegas and secured some public funding from the state of Nevada to build a new stadium there.
His plan needed the approval of at least 75 percent of the owners in the league (23 in total) to move forward.
On Thursday, it was reported that all remaining owners voted to approve the A’s relocation to Las Vegas, paving the way for Fisher to keep moving forward.
They did it unanimously, too: it’s another reminder that owners will always protect their own interests as a group and not necessarily those of the fans.
This comes despite pleas from thousands of fans, both in Oakland and in the rest of the country, to keep the franchise in Oakland.
Of course, fans reacted negatively to owners approving the move.
Oakland fans deserve better
— Not Jake 🥷🏻 (@CincyHub) November 16, 2023
Hope they flop in Vegas
— 𝐹𝑜𝓇𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒫𝒶𝒾𝓃 𝒞𝑜𝒸𝑜 🇨🇺 (@coco_yankz) November 16, 2023
Poor A’s fans
— Pizza Sports Guy (@PizzaSportsGuy) November 16, 2023
The owners’ vote doesn’t mean the process of moving the A’s to Vegas is finalized.
There are lots of steps to complete.
There are still fans who remain hopeful.
Not officially yet!! There has been no stadium deal signed or construction documents submitted and also the referendum hasn’t passed, teachers are fighting it still @JeffPassan
— William J Mazza (@BigBillyMazza) November 16, 2023
However, it’s undeniable that it was a crucial step.
Despite the passion that A’s fans have shown through the years when they are given a competitive team to root for, Fisher does not want to stay in Oakland.
These are the last two paragraphs of the story. I think they say everything about the passion of the A's fans and John Fisher's ownership. pic.twitter.com/yYQcQbMjuy
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 16, 2023
Fisher is convinced he is doing the right thing.
Perhaps for himself, but not for the city of Oakland.
NEXT: MLB Owners Officially Vote On Athletics Relocation Plan
