The Nevada Senate on Tuesday cleared a hurdle for a new A’s Stadium in Las Vegas, just hours before fans in Oakland launched a “reverse boycott” to urge majority owner John Fisher to sell the franchise.
The boycott prompted a season high of 27,759 fans to show up at the 46,847 seat stadium Oakland Coliseum, where they watched the A’s earn a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays while chanting, “Sell the team.”
The win was a remarkable seventh straight win for baseball’s worst team, including back-to-back wins against a Rays team with the best MLB record. Hogan Harris recorded the win after conceding the only earned run and four hits in seven innings on the mound. Pinch-hitting catcher Carlos Pérez hit the game-winning run on an RBI groundout in the seventh inning.
After the win, fans in the stands threw trash onto the field while Kool & the Gang’s “Celebration” blared from the stadium speakers.
A is one step closer to Las Vegas
Earlier Tuesday, Nevada senators voted 13 to 8 to approve $380 million in taxpayer money for a proposed baseball stadium on the Las Vegas Strip on the site of the Tropicana Hotel and Casino. Fisher, whose net worth is $2.2 billion according to Forbes, wants to move the team to Las Vegas to raise public funds for a new Bay Area home for the A’s, who died in the 57-year-old, after years of failed talks play season. old Oakland Coliseum.
The Las Vegas Journal review reports that Tuesday’s Senate vote was bipartisan, with Democrats and Republicans voting both for and against the bill.
The A’s initially settled with Bally’s Corp in May. on the construction of the proposed 30,000-seat stadium, which is expected to cost $1.5 billion. After the approval of the Senate, the topic will now be presented to the 42-strong state assembly on Tuesday.
If passed by a majority of the assembly, the bill will land on the desk of Gov. Joe Lombardo, who supports baseball in Las Vegas and called the special session for Tuesday’s Senate vote. At this point, the A’s move to Las Vegas would need approval from 75% of MLB owners.
A fan holds up a sign prior to a baseball game between the Athletics and Tampa Bay Rays in Oakland, California Tuesday, June 13, 2023 to protest the Oakland Athletics’ planned move to Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
‘Reverse Boycott’ Draws Biggest A-crowd of the Season
Fans came early to Tuesday’s game to express their displeasure. A’s fan and organizer was previously Stu Clary urged fans on social media attending Tuesday’s game to “pack the coli on a random day of the week” and show MLB “that we fans aren’t the problem.”
Oakland Deputy Mayor Rebecca Kaplan supported the reverse boycott in a statement to the Associated Press on Monday.
“I want to thank and appreciate the fans who organized the incredible reverse boycott for Tuesday and encourage people to come and see the A’s game tomorrow,” their statement read.
The reverse boycott came amid declining attendance at the A’s games. Before Tuesday’s game, the A’s averaged 8,555 fans per home game, the lowest attendance in MLB for the second straight season. Their season high so far was 26,805 spectators on opening day. The A’s started Tuesday with the worst baseball record of 18-50 as Fisher declined to invest in a winning roster. According to Spotrac, the A’s have the lowest payroll in MLB.
Fans come early
The fans arrived at the parking lot a few hours before the first pitch. Some who showed up early began a “Stay in Oakland” chant in the parking lot.
Fans wore green jerseys with the words “Sell” written in a message to Fisher that was repeated at home games throughout the 2023 season.
Those who couldn’t “sell” a T-shirt had the opportunity to pick one up on site.
There was also a painting station for fans to make signs at.
As soon as the game started, fans carried the messages “Sell the team” and “Stay in Oakland” into the stadium.
Fans also made it clear what they think of Fisher.
The A’s responded to the reverse boycott with pledged to donate all gate receipts from Tuesday’s game to the Alameda County Community Food Bank and the Oakland Public Education Fund. Sales totaled $811,107.
The A’s have two games left in their home game against the Rays.