When the Sacramento River Cats played against the Las Vegas Aviators, a group of Oakland Athletics (A’s) fans gathered outside the stadium in Sacramento wearing green shirts and gear to protest the team’s move from Oakland. The A’s will relocate to Sacramento after the 2024 season, and fans have been demonstrating their anger towards team owner John Fisher for his lack of investment in the team and stadium. The fans are determined to continue protesting the move regardless of the location of the team.
The protests have intensified over the past year, with Fisher rarely appearing in public, leading fans to make signs and flags with derogatory messages against him. As the relocation date approaches, there are talks of expanding the protests to target Fisher’s other businesses, including the San Jose Earthquakes and the clothing company Gap. The anger has now shifted towards Kings owner Vivek Ranadive, who has become involved in the team’s relocation to Sacramento.
The move to Sacramento signifies the end of an era for the tight-knit Oakland community of A’s fans who have supported the team for decades. Fans like Dave Peters, known as “Bleacher Dave,” feel like their baseball family is being ripped away from them. The relocation brings back memories of Sacramento’s own scare of losing the Kings, which was averted with Ranadive’s purchase of the team in 2013, securing the franchise in the city with a new arena.
Ranadive’s involvement in the A’s relocation may be seen as both a favor to Fisher and a potential move to secure a future Major League Baseball team in Sacramento. While it remains uncertain where the A’s will play in 2025, Ranadive’s rent-free deal with Sacramento has provided them with a temporary home. However, the move has caused backlash from fans who feel betrayed by Ranadive’s actions after being hailed as a savior for keeping the Kings in Sacramento.
The protests at baseball games and the tailgates leading up to the relocation highlight the beginning of a tumultuous relationship between A’s fans and Sacramento. The fans, led by organizers like Bryan Johansen, are making their voices heard through chants and signs, emphasizing that they will not back down easily. Despite the potential for a three-year tryout as a two-sport city, the discontent amongst fans remains palpable, and Ranadive may find it challenging to win over those who are upset about the team’s departure from Oakland.
The tension between fans and ownership, particularly Fisher and Ranadive, underscores a larger issue of communities being uprooted for the benefit of team owners. The protests are a way for fans to express their anger and frustration at the situation, as they face the reality of losing a team that has been a part of their lives for decades. The move to Sacramento may mark a new chapter for the A’s, but it comes at a cost of strained relationships and a sense of betrayal amongst loyal fans.
