Athletics owner John Fisher confirmed Sunday that the team’s $2 billion Las Vegas ballpark remains on schedule and within budget, as the first steel beams are set to be installed this week.
Speaking at Las Vegas Ballpark before a Big League Weekend exhibition against the Los Angeles Angels, Fisher said the organization finalized most of the pricing in January and has put the majority of stadium work out for bid. “We’re absolutely running on time and on budget,” he said. “I hope it stays that way because these things are sometimes unpredictable.”
The project has already surpassed $300 million in completed work. The initial steel installation involves “raker beams” that will form the seating bowl structure, according to Fisher. “That is where we’re going to have the seating bowl fit into the different levels of the stadium itself,” he explained. Steel erection for the roof is scheduled to begin in early June, which Fisher said will give fans a visible sense of the stadium’s distinctive canopy.
Naming Rights Progress
Fisher said the A’s continue negotiations with multiple domestic and international companies for naming rights. “Right now, we’re bringing lots of people into the experience center,” he said. “We’re touring people around the site, so they’re very familiar with what we’re building and we’re explaining to them who the A’s are.”
With the regular season approaching, Fisher expressed hope that the team avoids its typical slow start. The A’s are scheduled to play two three-game series at Las Vegas Ballpark in June: against the Milwaukee Brewers (June 8-10) and the Colorado Rockies (June 12-14). “These two series coming up in June are going to be important games for us relatively early in the season,” Fisher said. “Too often I think the A’s have come out a little slow and then we pick up steam in the last half of the season.”
Returning Next Year
Fisher indicated the A’s plan to return to Las Vegas Ballpark next season for both spring training and regular-season games. “The schedule is made by baseball, but I think it’s probably fair to assume that we’ll be coming back here again next year,” he said, crediting Commissioner Rob Manfred and MLB for their support. The team has already hired a significant Southern Nevada workforce, with more employees expected to relocate before the franchise’s permanent move.
