The Oakland Athletics, one of Major League Baseball’s storied franchises, are embracing an unconventional twist as they transition from Oakland to their future home in Las Vegas.
During a temporary three-year stint in Sacramento, they will don patches promoting Las Vegas—a move that has sparked intrigue across the sports world.
Let’s break down the key details of this unique situation and explore its implications for the team, the cities involved, and the business of sports marketing.
The Las Vegas Patches: A First-of-Its-Kind Sponsorship Deal
In a rarity for professional sports, the Athletics will wear jersey patches emblazoned with “Las Vegas” during their transitional years in Sacramento.
This sponsorship, brokered by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), is both a marketing coup and a reflection of the team’s eventual relocation.
The deal will generate $2.5 million in revenue for the A’s in 2025, $2.75 million in 2026, and $3 million in 2028, totaling an impressive $8.25 million across the deal’s lifespan.
Notably, this arrangement aligns with Major League Baseball’s minimum standards for jersey sponsorships.
Unprecedented Advertising in a Transitional Era
The decision to spotlight Las Vegas, rather than Sacramento, sets this sponsorship apart from typical MLB partnerships.
Historically, teams represent their current city, but the Athletics’ situation is anything but ordinary.
With LVCVA head Steve Hill explaining that such a deal is feasible only because Sacramento is a temporary host, this arrangement highlights the business potential of leveraging a future market, even before officially arriving there.
Sacramento’s Role: A Brief Yet Crucial Stop
While the Athletics won’t adopt a new moniker like the “Sacramento Athletics,” they will acknowledge their temporary home in other ways.
One such gesture includes a special Sacramento patch adorning players’ jerseys’ opposite sleeve—at least for the 2025 season.
Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento will serve as the Athletics’ interim home, providing the team with a venue as construction for their Las Vegas stadium gets underway.
Acknowledging Sacramento’s Support
Team owner John Fisher has been transparent about the transitional nature of these years in Sacramento.
While the city has embraced the team, arrangements such as the Las Vegas patch underscore the temporary status of this stop.
Fisher’s comments reflect both gratitude for Sacramento’s support and a long-term focus on the franchise’s future in Las Vegas.
Construction of the Las Vegas Stadium
The Athletics’ highly anticipated Las Vegas stadium is set to break ground in June 2025, with a projected opening in time for the 2028 MLB season.
The state-of-the-art facility is expected to herald a new era for the franchise, signaling a permanent home and a fresh opportunity to establish a fan base in a growing sports market.
By maintaining the “Athletics” identity throughout the transition, the franchise is ensuring continuity for its loyal followers while simultaneously preparing to cater to a new audience in Las Vegas.
Why Las Vegas is a Natural Fit
Las Vegas has rapidly transformed into a bustling sports destination, hosting the likes of the NFL’s Raiders and NHL’s Golden Knights.
Adding the Athletics to the mix strengthens its status as a premier hub for professional sports.
The jersey patches, coupled with the stadium construction, symbolize a forward-thinking approach to solidify the Athletics’ presence in this dynamic sports market.
The Impact of Unconventional Branding
This bold move by the Athletics could serve as a blueprint for other teams undergoing relocation or significant transitions.
It demonstrates how sports teams can navigate logistical challenges while capitalizing on financial and branding opportunities.
The three-year deal also underscores the increasing importance of sponsorship revenue in driving long-term franchise value.
Future Trends in Team Relocation Marketing
As team relocations become more common, the Athletics’ approach may inspire other franchises to reimagine the sponsorship possibilities during transitional periods.
By promoting their future home while honoring their temporary one, the A’s are balancing two identities effectively—potentially setting a precedent for how teams handle these complex situations.
The Athletics’ decision to wear “Las Vegas” patches during their Sacramento tenure reflects innovation, practicality, and a forward-thinking vision.
As the team journeys toward its permanent home in Las Vegas, this unique sponsorship highlights the evolving dynamics of sports marketing, city partnerships, and fan engagement.
While the road ahead includes challenges, the franchise’s bold steps are paving the way for an exciting new chapter on and off the field.
Here is the source article for this story: Athletics to wear Las Vegas patches on their arms during their stay in Sacramento
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