Everything appeared to run smoothly when the Athletics left Oakland for their Las Vegas landing. Relocation, from conception to execution, remains a thorny issue with several aspects that need attention.
When MLB owners agree to approve a team’s move, everything goes from idea to reality. Pressure mounts to complete the construction. When logistical hiccups arise, they must be addressed. To the public, relocation always looks streamlined and efficient. What happens when you delve deeper?
Athletics Owner John Fisher Faces Scrutiny for Rising Cost Regarding Vegas Stadium
Already reviled in Oakland, Fisher faces scrutiny in his eventual new home. Originally ticketed for a construction price of $1.75 billion, Fisher estimates that the number could rise to over $2 billion without substantial proof of presented numbers. By any metric or measure, a minimum cost increase of $750 million is not chump change.
As a result, those with a critical eye begin to see that the Athletics rushed relocation as an example of an owner who did not have a solid plan filled with contingencies. Yet, Fisher remains determined to build on time. He spoke to Mick Akers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal about the larger price tag.
“The tariffs apply to the materials when they arrive in the United States,” Fisher said. “So, we’ve had to make our best estimates as to what tariff costs will be. But we’ve accounted for all of that in our budgets.”
Fisher and the Athletics chose to import their steel from Japan, which the United States government decided to levy larger tariffs against. Instead, Fisher could have chosen to import from countries that do not sport such a high tariff.
Fisher told Akers that the Athletics accounted for the increases in their budgets. However, if that were the case, then he could explain that the Athletics allotted funds for potential growth. At the same time, while presenting a look of leadership and stability, Fisher is looking for money.
“We can finance this all ourselves,” Fisher said. “When we were talking to fellow (MLB team) owners and the commissioner (Rob Manfred), it was important to me that we have this opportunity to bring in local investors and other investors, as we’ve seen with teams all over the county. You have these sometimes consortiums of investors who’ve brought a lot of value.”
If the Athletics could finance the project alone, then why don’t they? The reason should not surprise anyone. Fisher does not want to eat the cost of the ballpark alone. But Fisher wants to exude the vibe of a billionaire who wants to extend a hand to his new community to participate in paying for a stadium.
Make no mistake. The Athletics will see their Vegas ballpark completed. However, that doesn’t mean that the team will contend. For years in Oakland, Fisher nickel-and-dimed players and offered few substantial contracts.
Since assuming majority control of the Athletics’ franchise in 2005, Fisher’s team advanced to the playoffs seven times between 2006-20. Since the era of the massive contracts, the team has won more than 80 games just once (2021).
A new stadium does not guarantee an influx of new talent and current players will want to stay there. Under those circumstances, does Fisher wish to build the stadium to grow his franchise or enhance his personal prestige?