John Fisher, owner of the Oakland Athletics, had been eyeing a move to Las Vegas, Nevada, with the promise of $600 million in public funding for a new stadium. However, a recent poll by Emerson College revealed that a majority of Las Vegas voters oppose using their tax money for this purpose.
This move by Fisher is just one example of the trend of taxpayer-subsidized stadiums, a practice that has become all too common. The backlash from the public in Las Vegas echoes a recent rejection of a similar proposal in Kansas City.
Despite facing resistance, the Athletics have already made a different move, relocating to Sacramento for the time being. This decision was driven by longstanding issues between Fisher and the city of Oakland, particularly centered around the outdated Coliseum stadium.
The move away from Oakland comes after years of frustration with the deteriorating conditions at the Coliseum, which has been plagued by various problems. Fisher’s demands for public funding for a new ballpark further strained the relationship between the team and the city.
Critics have also pointed to Fisher’s management as a factor in the team’s struggles, citing low attendance numbers and player discontent. The owner’s push for public funds to address these issues has faced pushback, as evidenced by the opposition in Las Vegas.
