Oakland sports fans are facing a tough reality as the Athletics prepare to leave town, marking the end of an era for professional sports in the East Bay. This departure adds to the list of major franchises that have already left Oakland over the years.
The California Golden Seals, an NHL team that struggled to find success, moved to become the Cleveland Barons in 1976. This short-lived franchise eventually merged with the Minnesota North Stars, who later became the Dallas Stars.
The Golden State Warriors bid farewell to Oracle Arena, where they enjoyed many successful seasons, and moved to the Chase Center in San Francisco in 2019. Despite the new amenities at the Chase Center, it took time for the team to feel at home in their new arena.
The Oakland Raiders, under the ownership of Mark Davis, made the move to Las Vegas to play in the Allegiant Stadium, fulfilling Davis’ vision of a football-only stadium. This move marked the second time the Raiders left Oakland, having previously relocated to Los Angeles in 1982 before returning in 1995.
The Oakland Athletics, the last remaining major pro sports team in Oakland, have been exploring options for a new ballpark for years. Despite efforts to build in various locations around the Bay Area, including the Howard Terminal site, challenges with public transportation and parking led owner John Fisher to pursue relocation to Las Vegas. The team plans to play in Sacramento temporarily before making the move to Nevada in 2028.
Fisher’s announcement of the relocation plan was met with disappointment and bitterness from fans who had hoped the team would stay in Oakland. The “Stay In Oakland” campaign, which sent boxes to baseball owners urging them to keep the team in the city, did not sway the decision. Fisher expressed his regret for not being able to keep the team in Oakland and acknowledged the disappointment felt by fans.
As the Athletics prepare to leave Oakland, fans are left with mixed emotions and a sense of loss. The departure of the last major pro sports team in the city marks the end of an era for Oakland sports, leaving behind memories of past successes and the hope for a bright future in a new location.