Oakland, California, a city steeped in sports history, has seen its fair share of teams come and go over the years. From the Raiders leaving for Los Angeles in 1982, returning in 1995, only to uproot once again for Las Vegas in 2020, to the Golden State Warriors making the move across the bay to San Francisco’s Chase Center in 2019 after a long tenure in Oakland since 1971. Even an NHL team, the California Golden Seals, called Oakland home for nine seasons before moving on to become the Cleveland Barons.
Oakland native and former MLB player Bip Roberts, now a real estate investor in the East Bay, argues against the notion that Oakland lacks the audience or financial support needed for a major-league team. With a median household income of $96,828 in Oakland and $119,931 in Alameda County, both exceeding state and national averages, Roberts believes the city has all the necessary ingredients for a successful sports franchise.
Despite Oakland’s strong economic footing, Las Vegas has emerged as a growing sports hub, boasting teams like the Raiders, the A’s, and the NHL’s Golden Knights. With recent major events like the Super Bowl, Stanley Cup Final, and Formula 1 Grand Prix, the city’s appeal to sports fans and franchises continues to rise. The departure of the A’s hands the San Francisco Giants complete dominance of the Bay Area market, leaving only a few other cities with two MLB clubs.
Although the A’s have historically been on par with the Giants in terms of wins and championships, it is the latter that stays put in the Bay Area with one of the most valuable franchises in baseball. The Giants’ Oracle Park draws large crowds, leaving the A’s struggling to fill seats and lagging behind in attendance. The A’s poor attendance is largely attributed to the management’s track record of prioritizing profits over long-term investments in talent, leading to the departure of star players like Reggie Jackson, Mark McGwire, and Jason Giambi over the years.
As Oakland fans prepare to bid farewell to the A’s and reminisce about the memories made at the Oakland Coliseum, the reality of losing yet another team hits hard. For Roberts, the emotions surrounding the team’s departure are starting to take a toll, highlighting the deep connection between sports teams and their loyal supporters. Despite the challenges faced by Oakland in retaining sports franchises, the city’s rich sports legacy remains a source of pride for its residents.