The Oakland Athletics, now simply referred to as the “Athletics” or “A’s,” are set to play the 2025 season in Sacramento at the minor-league Sutter Health Park. The franchise officially removed “Oakland” from its name, signaling a temporary relocation while the organization struggles to finalize its move to Las Vegas. The new guidelines, issued as part of a “brand transition,” emphasize the current identity as “Athletics” without a home city, and confirm that Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento will serve as their home ballpark.
The decision to leave Oakland comes from owner John Fisher, who has secured a partial funding commitment from Las Vegas for a new stadium. However, this funding is contingent on Fisher finding additional private investors to cover the rest of the stadium’s cost. Without full financial backing, the move remains uncertain, leaving the A’s in a prolonged state of limbo without a clear future destination.
This relocation has faced substantial criticism, especially given the risk of moving from the Bay Area—a significant MLB media market—to Las Vegas, which would be the smallest market in the league. Such a move challenges the team’s ability to attract investors and raises concerns about financial sustainability in the new market. The lack of transparency and missed deadlines have further fueled doubts about the feasibility of the Las Vegas project.
Symbolically, the removal of “Oakland” from the team’s name reflects this ambiguity. The team has opted for a more generic identity until its future is confirmed, mirroring the uncertainty surrounding its next steps. While the organization is based in Sacramento for the time being, it has not committed to this as a permanent location, creating an unusual situation for both fans and the league.
Ultimately, the A’s transition to Las Vegas is far from guaranteed. Until they secure the required funding and finalize their plans, they will continue to operate in a state of flux. The rebranding efforts, coupled with the logistical and financial hurdles, cast doubt on whether the A’s will indeed settle in Las Vegas or need to explore alternative options, prolonging the uncertainty of the franchise’s future.
