PHOENIX — Rob Manfred, the Commissioner of Baseball, has praised the temporary home of the Oakland Athletics as “charming,” while also expressing his expectation that the team will unveil its new stadium in Las Vegas in 2028.
Recently, Manfred toured a 14,000-seat minor league ballpark in West Sacramento, California. He lauded the efforts made by the ownership of both the Triple-A River Cats and the Athletics, stating that players are experiencing an environment that closely resembles major league conditions.
“I found the visit quite encouraging,” Manfred remarked. “I’m pleased I could make this trip before the season kicks off, as it was part of my initial intentions. The enthusiasm in the community is tangible.”
The Athletics had called the Oakland Coliseum home since 1968 but relocated after last season, with a definitive aim toward establishing roots in Las Vegas—a city that has recently welcomed NHL and NFL franchises.
In December, the Las Vegas Stadium Authority sanctioned lease agreements and development plans, which eliminated significant obstacles for the Athletics’ project to create a $1.75 billion stadium on the Strip. While specific details, including a development agreement with Clark County, are still in progress, groundbreaking is anticipated for spring to facilitate a 2028 launch.
“I don’t believe there has been a shift in our timeline,” Manfred stated. “My conviction is that we will stay on schedule for the 2028 debut.”
Funding for the stadium is supported by Nevada and Clark County, contributing $380 million towards a domed venue projected to hold 33,000 spectators. The interim president of the Athletics, Sandy Dean, disclosed that franchise owner John Fisher has raised his financial commitments to $1.1 billion. Two financial institutions, U.S. Bank and Goldman Sachs, are poised to provide a $300 million loan, while Fisher aims to attract further investors from Las Vegas and beyond to acquire equity in the franchise.
In another note, the Tampa Bay Rays will also be playing in a minor league stadium due to hurricane-related damage to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, opting for the New York Yankees’ Steinbrenner Field in Tampa for their games.
“We owe a significant debt of gratitude to Hal Steinbrenner,” Manfred expressed regarding the Yankees’ owner. “He has invested tens of millions into improving Steinbrenner Field, and now the first team to benefit from this investment will be the Tampa Bay Rays.”
Looking ahead, Manfred noted an anticipated increase in attendance figures across the league. “I’m cautious about making predictions, but we are optimistic for 2025,” he stated. “Over recent years, we feel there have been substantial enhancements in the quality of play. We have a talented generation of players delivering an exciting and dynamic game.”
Last season, Major League Baseball saw an average attendance of 29,373 fans per game, the highest since 2017. This figure marks an increase from 29,114 in 2023 and 26,566 in 2022, reflecting a recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The peak attendance in the sport was recorded in 2007, with an average of 32,696 fans.
On the topic of financial disparities within baseball, Manfred mentioned that the gap between wealthy teams and those with fewer resources is likely to widen by 2025, primarily due to the high-spending practices of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He acknowledged concerns about payroll differences but refrained from assigning blame to the Dodgers.
“The Dodgers have fully leveraged their resources within the existing regulations to assemble a competitive team, which is commendable for the sport,” Manfred noted. “This competitive drive is what fans want to witness.”
In 2024, the Dodgers topped spending, leading them to a World Series win, carrying a luxury tax payroll of $353 million, alongside a hefty $103 million tax bill. Conversely, the Athletics maintained the lowest luxury tax payroll, which was just shy of $84 million.
Manfred has received a range of emails from fans expressing their worries regarding the financial equilibrium in the sport.
“It’s evident that fans in several markets are concerned about their teams’ capacity to compete against the financial might of the Dodgers,” Manfred elaborated. “We consistently strive to be attentive to our fans’ perspectives on these important matters.”
