A's to change road jersey

[VitaminD]

People in growing markets have allegiances to other teams. Those don't go away overnight.

The Marlins play to about 60% capacity, and they've given their fans 2 titles in their 12 years of existence.

The New Jersey Devils barely drew 15,000 in each of the years following their last 2 Stanley Cup titles.

It takes at least a generation for a team to take roots in professional sports. Adults who live in Vegas have their own rooting interests, usually from childhood. Were their children to grow up with a new team, until that child reaches their late 20s or even 30s, they won't have enough disposable income for season tickets. No matter how much money exists in Vegas, it would be a new major league market, and they take time to cultivate. And since Vegas's economy is unlike any city in the US (New Orleans is sorta similar, the way apples and oranges are both fruit), conventional economic models don't work. Despite having professionals - teachers, doctors, lawyers - the vast majority of the economy is fueled by tourism and gambling and entertainment that you can only find in Vegas. That majority won't be what drives a major league team to profitability.

Plus, the obvious conflicts of interest between a professional sport trying to maintain competitive integrity and the casinos accepting billions of dollars annually betting on those games are inherent. As are the temptations to fix the outcomes of those games. Another problem that would seem to hinder Vegas. Would they be able to take action on games involving Las Vegas pro teams? I know until recently it wasn't always easy to find casinos taking bets on college basketball and football involving UN or UNLV.

[Thunderstruk]

Does their current one have oakland on it? I thought htey always had Athletics on them.

[BBTV]

Move them back home to Philadelphia. They'd outdraw the Phillies and eventually put them out of business.

[CC97]

Hey, this is topic #22222 -- thought I'd point that out

[DEAD!]

Move them back home to Philadelphia. They'd outdraw the Phillies and eventually put them out of business.

But wouldl the A's have a larger or smaller payroll than the Phillies?

[eriqjaffe]

Does anybody here think of places out of the United States when they think of relocation. I could see a city like San Jose or even Mexico City having a MLB team without any problems. I wouldn't want it to work out like the Expos, but it would be fun to see how a team does in these growing baseball markets.

I assume you mean San Juan, not San Jose?

The biggest problem with those markets is that, on the whole, they have very poor economies - sure, the population base is there, but there are worries about whether there's enough affluence around to really support a major league team full-time.

I could easily see Portland or Sacramento getting the A's before a foreign interest does.

[VitaminD]

I assume you mean San Juan, not San Jose?

I could easily see Portland or Sacramento getting the A's before a foreign interest does.

What about San Jose, Costa Rica?

I could easily see Portland or Sacramento getting the A's before a foreign interest does.

How long has Portland been trotted out for a potential MLB site? They've been finalists for almost every disgruntled team looking for a better stadium deal for what seems like forever.

It would give the series with the M's a little kick, if nothing else.

And what about Vancouver? Canadian baseball did well in Montreal until MLB left it for dead, it's worked in Toronto, why not a major Pacific Coast city?

[Pat]

I think there will be no teams in Canada before there is another one.

Im guessing if they dont stay in the No Cal area, theyre heading to Vegas. It might look like a success short term but I doubt itd work out.

[Tom Reing]

It would be nice for Philly to be a two team city. What if they built a stadium in the Northeast which seems like the edge of the universe to south Philly. Or built the stadium they were always talking about near the Inquirer building--that would be sweet. Of course if you are not from Philly these locations mean nothing to you. I do however think Las Vegas will not be a lasting home for the hapless Athletics. Too tourist--even for MLB.

[RookieOfTheYear]

who was the person who made the amazing Las Vegas Athletics concept? I'd really like to see it posted here and brought up again.

[mustangdmg]

How about Portland? They did try to lure the Expos before they moved to DC.

[VitaminD]

It would be nice for Philly to be a two team city.  What if they built a stadium in the Northeast which seems like the edge of the universe to south Philly.  Or built the stadium they were always talking about near the Inquirer building--that would be sweet.  Of course if you are not from Philly these locations mean nothing to you.  I do however think Las Vegas will not be a lasting home for the hapless Athletics.  Too tourist--even for MLB.

The Northeast may be a little far, but I liked the idea of building on the old Schmidt's Brewery site in Northern Liberties (2nd and Girard). It's convenient off I-95, the SEPTA Frankford El station is 2 blocks away, the site is 2 blocks off Delaware Avenue and 5 minutes by car from Center City, and would anchor the redevelopment/gentrification of the neighborhood. The Inquirer site is too inconvenient, Chinatown is too crowded already, and 30th Street is UPenn's land (not to mention the giant skyscraper that's going up over there).

Selfishly, I liked Northern Liberties because my great-grandfather's bar used to occupy the corner of 5th and Callowhill, just down the street from The Electric Factory. It'd be a mile walk up 5th street for me to catch games. And I'd try to buy back the building and run a bar that could profit the way all the microbrewpubs at the Baltimore Inner Harbor were revived when the O's moved. (Of course, it left the family and is now a Covenant House. Ironic, isn't it?)

[redsfan39]

louisana always seemed like a place for a look at to me

[TwoRsAndTwoLs]

I wondered if I was going to be the first one to shout "Portland," but it's been said twice. From what I understand, PGE Park is pretty nice for the Beavers, too.

Oh, plus I'd love to see SOME kind of rivalry up here in the northwest.

And speaking of Canada, has there been any talk of Vancouver? Then again, they lost the Grizzlies, so maybe that's not the wisest decision either.

[Tom Reing]

It would be nice for Philly to be a two team city.  What if they built a stadium in the Northeast which seems like the edge of the universe to south Philly.  Or built the stadium they were always talking about near the Inquirer building--that would be sweet.  Of course if you are not from Philly these locations mean nothing to you.  I do however think Las Vegas will not be a lasting home for the hapless Athletics.  Too tourist--even for MLB.

The Northeast may be a little far, but I liked the idea of building on the old Schmidt's Brewery site in Northern Liberties (2nd and Girard). It's convenient off I-95, the SEPTA Frankford El station is 2 blocks away, the site is 2 blocks off Delaware Avenue and 5 minutes by car from Center City, and would anchor the redevelopment/gentrification of the neighborhood. The Inquirer site is too inconvenient, Chinatown is too crowded already, and 30th Street is UPenn's land (not to mention the giant skyscraper that's going up over there).

Selfishly, I liked Northern Liberties because my great-grandfather's bar used to occupy the corner of 5th and Callowhill, just down the street from The Electric Factory. It'd be a mile walk up 5th street for me to catch games. And I'd try to buy back the building and run a bar that could profit the way all the microbrewpubs at the Baltimore Inner Harbor were revived when the O's moved. (Of course, it left the family and is now a Covenant House. Ironic, isn't it?)

These are bigger pipe dreams than the Phillies dominating the division. And I'm a die hard Phillies fan!

I just don't want the Athletics in the following towns (because I don't think they will thrive, not because of the city itself):

Las Vegas

Orlando (maybe that one is the city itself...kidding)

Jacksonville

San Antonio

Sacremento

Charlotte NC

Salt Lake (though it might be nice)

Possibilities:

Portland

Vancouver

Memphis or Nashville

San Juan PR

[Grish]

I will give you a location that everyone over looks.. a 3rd team in the New York area or even as far west as the Buffalo area. (this solves competive market balance too).

Also you have New Jersey

Las Vegas has always done well as a Minor League draw and I don't know how that would translate.

Portland would be good for Seattle, only as a rival. Portland just does not as desirable as B.C. might. Again, great minor league backing but does that translate to attendance for an MLB team, and what are the affects to Seattle.

Also I don't see teams going to Mexico, attendance would be fine, but how much would you need to charge a local to make up for the $ difference.

Personally I think MLB will reduce markets before the expand them. Tampa is a pretty weak situation all the way around.

[winters in buffalo]

Hey, this is topic #22222 -- thought I'd point that out

Have there really been that many?

[teenchy]

Move them back home to Philadelphia. They'd outdraw the Phillies and eventually put them out of business.

I like to tease Phils fans sometimes by telling them the wrong team left town.

[VitaminD]

  I like to tease Phils fans sometimes by telling them the wrong team left town.

Is it considered teasing if we acknowledge that it's true?

[winghaz]

I could see the Athletics remaining either in the Bay Area or northern Cal. That just seems to be the most logical fit. Sacramento, in my opinion, wouldn't be that bad of a move. Or a move a little inward, say to Concord.

But what do you call them? The Northern California A's?