Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman threw a curveball during her chat on the Front Office Sports Today podcast. It was Tuesday. She reckons the Athletics should stick with Oakland. Goodman’s been at the helm since July 2011, witnessing Vegas’s sports scene explode. So, her take on the A’s potential move? Well, it was refreshingly blunt.
Goodman’s got this hunch, see. The A’s eyeing the Tropicana site just doesn’t click for her. She spilled the beans on a better spot they passed up – smack dab in a historic neighborhood, with seven highways snaking right to it. But no, they’re all in on The Strip. And that choice? It’s got her scratching her head, given the notorious traffic snarls there.
“I thought, this does not make sense, and so why is it happening?” Goodman pondered aloud. “And then I thought, well, because they really want to stay in Oakland, they want to be on the water, they have that magnificent dream. Yet they can’t get it done.” When prodded about whether the A’s moving to Vegas would be a win, she doubled down: staying in Oakland is the dream they should chase.
Goodman didn’t mince words about John Fisher, the A’s owner. “I just know that (owner John Fisher) — longtime successful family — in my opinion, needs to listen to the people that are up there. It’s their team.” Despite her insights, the future of the A’s in Oakland remains a big question mark. They’ve been radio silent with the city for nearly a year, per ESPN.
The relocation drama has ruffled feathers among Oakland fans. Last season saw a reverse boycott, with another planned for Opening Day. Yet, Fisher’s stance remains firm: selling the team isn’t on the table, even as he claims financial losses.
Oh, and Fisher? Forbes pegs his worth at a cool $2.9 billion. Just a little tidbit to chew on.
