(FOX40.COM) — As the Sacramento River Cats celebrate their 25th anniversary, the team’s home venue, Sutter Health Park, could potentially host a MLB team for the next three years.
The Oakland Athletics has reportedly considered the West Sacramento ballpark as a temporary home before their move to Las Vegas.
•Video Above: A’s Fans Protest Team Relocation on Opening Day
But before a temporary stay at Sutter Health Park becomes a reality, A’s ownership is set to get a new contract offer to extend their stay in Oakland, according to ESPN.
Oakland city officials and the team are meeting on Tuesday where the city is reportedly offering a five-year contract with an opt-out after three years. The contract offer also includes a $97 million “extension fee.”
The A’s lease at the Oakland Coliseum expires after the 2024 season and is expected to relocate to their planned stadium in Las Vegas in 2028.
Sacramento’s emergence as a host site
The San Francisco Chronicle reported in January that Sutter Health park is being considered as a possible temporary site from 2025 to 2027.
Salt Lake City and Summerlin, Nevada also emerged as potential host sites, along with Oracle Park in San Franciso, but the publication mentioned that situation would create a “logistical nightmare” for the Giants.
ESPN reported Saturday that the idea of a 3-yeat stint in Sacramento has “gained traction in recent weeks.”
A temporary stay in Sacramento would allow the A’s to keep “a larger percentage of its reported $67 million” in their television contract with NBC Sports California than the team would in Salt Lake City.
A’s ownership visits Sacramento
Reports of the A’s interest started circulating locally when executives toured Sutter Health Park in January.
A’s owner John Fisher and president Dave Kaval were reportedly some of the high level executives who visited the River Cats home ballpark in West Sacramento.
The idea of the A’s playing at Sutter Health was not welcomed by some local fans.
“This is a strong baseball town. You’re going to get a lot of causal fans in the stands, and then you’re going to get, I guarantee you, a lot of A’s out here in green ‘sell’ shirts, protesting to sell the team,” A’s fan Ray Perez said in a previous FOX40.com report. “We don’t want you here under these circumstances. We want you to leave.”
