A’s take crucial step toward Las Vegas move. Here’s what happened
A crucial step has been taken toward finalizing the Athletics’ new ballpark on the Las Vegas strip.
The Las Vegas Stadium Authority on Thursday voted to approve the 30-year lease, non-relocation and development documents needed to begin construction on the new stadium at the former site of the Tropicana resort.
Finalizing the construction plan, of course, could solidify the A’s future beyond their planned three- or four-year stay in the West Sacramento after spending the last 57 seasons in Oakland. It’s believed Thursday’s approval will lead to construction beginning in spring 2025.
The club will play its first games at Sutter Health Park, the Triple-A stadium home to the Sacramento River Cats, beginning March 31.
The agreement to share the home of the River Cats is a three-year deal with an option for a fourth depending on the construction timeline of the new Las Vegas ballpark.
The approval for the new Last Vegas stadium came Thursday after construction costs rose by $250 million to $1.75 billion total because of inflation and design changes, which included under-seat cooling and 70,000 square feet of usable space.
Nevada and Clark County will provide $380 million in public funding while A’s owner John Fisher has pledged $1.1 billion from him and his family. U.S. Bank and Goldman Sachs will give the team a $300 million loan, A’s executive Sandy Dean said at a stadium authority meeting in October.
Documents presented at Thursday’s meeting included the loan commitment from both banks and proof of Fisher and his family’s ability to provide the $1.1 billion.
The domed stadium is planned to seat 30,000 fans, which would make it the smallest in Major League Baseball. Sutter Health Park seats about 14,000.
