MLB, Oakland in Talks About Expansion Team If Athletics Extend Coliseum Lease

It appears the city of Oakland is looking to capitalize on the Athletics’ intent to relocate to Las Vegas.

San Francisco Chronicle’s Scott Ostler reported Friday that MLB and Oakland have discussed the city being guaranteed an expansion franchise if it grants the A’s an extended lease at the Coliseum, the franchise’s home ballpark since it moved to the Bay Area in 1968.

The A’s lease at the Coliseum is currently set to expire at the end of the 2024 MLB season. The A's, who intend to open their planned ballpark in Las Vegas in 2028, still need to find a temporary home for the ‘25, ‘26 and ‘27 seasons.

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao has previously stated the A’s would need to give the city something in return for an extended lease, whether that was a guaranteed expansion team or keeping the rights to the A’s name and branding in the Bay Area.

However, the A’s plans for 2025 and beyond remain unclear. The Athletic’s Evan Drellich reported Friday that Sacramento has emerged as the front-runner to host the A’s from 2025 to ‘27. The team would play its home games at Sutter Health Park, the home of the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, a San Francisco Giants affiliate.