June 13, 2023 could go down as one of the most memorable days in Oakland A’s history.
Against the backdrop of the Nevada legislature considering Senate Bill 1 (SB1), the team’s proposed $1.5 billion, 30,000-seat stadium on The Strip, A’s fans have organized a reverse boycott for Tuesday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
According to fans, more than 25,000 seats have been sold for Tuesday’s game as of Tuesday morning, as the fanbase is rallying together to prove that they’re not the problem – cheap owner John Fisher is.
The independent supporter group Oakland 68s have also collected nearly $40,000 in donations and collaborated with local retailer Oaklandish to provide 7,000 free kelly green shirts that say “SELL” on them. There will be two large tailgates (Lot A and Lot B) where you can pick up a shirt, along with the Bart ramp, Gate C and Gate D. Gates open at 3:30 p.m. PT and first pitch is at 6:40 p.m. PT.
The A’s are trying to leave Oakland under the premise that they don’t have enough support in the market. A’s fans seek to prove that Fisher’s lack of investment, constant dismantling/trading of stars and raised ticket prices have decimated the attendance, as Oakland is dead last with 8,555 fans per game.
Meanwhile, the Nevada senate and assembly are meeting in Carson City to discuss SB1, which has undergone amendments since last week’s special session. Nevada taxpayers are reportedly paying $250,000 for each day of the special session, which has dragged out five days so far.
The Nevada senate has to approve the bill, before the assembly and finally a signature from Gov. Joe Lombardo, who called this special session in an effort to ram it through in 2023. The A’s will be removed from MLB’s revenue sharing on Jan. 15, 2024 if they don’t have a stadium deal figured out – whether in Las Vegas or Oakland.
A’s fans want to show the world that they can support the team and keep the franchise in the The Bay with a stadium at Howard Terminal, a waterfront ballpark project which has gone through a lot of hoops the past three years before the A’s ceased negotiating with Oakland in April.
For all we know, Nevada legislators will take place in the middle of Tuesday night’s game. Even though the A’s own MLB’s worst record (18-50), they also are tied for having baseball’s current longest win streak (six games). Strap in, because it’s going to be a wild night at the Coliseum.
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