Athletics face financial troubles with new Las Vegas stadium

In the United States, the Oakland Athletics franchise is making plans to relocate to Las Vegas for the start of the 2028 season. The move is largely backed by the state of Nevada, which promised substantial financial support, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars, to assist with the construction of a new stadium. This facility is set to be located on the former site of the Tropicana hotel, a highly visible location across from the MGM Grand. Earlier in late 2024, it appeared that the franchise had overcome significant political obstacles, paving the way for the realization of this ambitious project. However, recent reports have surfaced expressing serious concerns about the financial viability of this new stadium initiative. In June 2025, a groundbreaking ceremony for the stadium took place, attended by John Fisher, the team's owner, and Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, signaling a positive outlook. Yet, subsequent analysis has revealed troubling financial challenges facing Fisher and the organization, indicating that the initial plans may be in jeopardy. Cost estimates for the new stadium have escalated dramatically from an initial projection of approximately $1.5 billion to potentially $2 billion due to rising inflation and construction costs. This significant financial shortfall poses a dilemma for Fisher, as he currently lacks sufficient funds or financing to cover the total expenses needed to complete the project. Presently, the estimated financial backing he has secured is around $855 million, which leaves a substantial gap that needs addressing if the stadium is to be built successfully. Fisher is looking towards selling the San Jose Earthquakes, a Major League Soccer team that could potentially yield $500-600 million. However, even if that sale goes through, it will still fall short of closing the financial gap necessary to achieve the $2 billion target. As a result of these issues, there are mounting speculations that if these financial issues are not resolved quickly, the Athletics might seek new ownership options and relocate to other cities such as Salt Lake City, Portland, Nashville, or Austin. The future of both the franchise and the new stadium project hangs in the balance, raising questions about the viability of the Athletics in Las Vegas and the long-term strategy of Fisher and his administrative team.