Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman Unexpectedly Blasts Oakland Athletics’ Relocation Proposal

In a twist for the Oakland Athletics franchise, Las Vegas mayor Carolyn Goodman blasted the franchise’s relocation proposal and said the A’s should remain in Oakland.

Goodman cited an “odd feeling” throughout the process in her business dealings with the team, specifically around the franchise choosing the nine-acre Tropicana stadium site over better and roomier options in the area. Instead, the A’s wanted to move the team just off the Las Vegas strip that would be subject to severe traffic woes.

“I thought, this does not make sense, and so why is it happening?” Goodman told the Front Office Sports Today podcast. “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 Goodman was further asked if she thought that the A’s finalizing relocation plans to her city of Las Vegas would be a good thing, Goodman reiterated that the franchise should find a way to remain in Oakland.

“I personally think they’ve gotta figure out a way to stay in Oakland and make their dream come true,” she added. “I just know that [owner John Fisher]—longtime successful family—in my opinion, needs to listen to people that are up there. It’s their team.”

The Oakland franchise still intends to relocate to Las Vegas, even if Mayor Goodman believes they should stay in the Bay Area for the good of their fan base. Per ESPN, the A’s and the city of Oakland have not talked in 10 months.