On Monday morning, with piles of dirt, construction vehicles, and the precise spot for home plate at the new Athletics ballpark behind him, team owner John Fisher spoke to a large group, declaring: “We are Vegas’ team.”

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, along with state and local officials, former Athletics stars like Rollie Fingers and Dave Stewart, and young Little Leaguers, watched as the team celebrated starting work on their new $1.75 billion ballpark. This stadium will hold 33,000 people and is expected to be ready for the 2028 season.

Nevada and Clark County have sanctioned the allocation of up to $380 million in public funds for the undertaking.

Team president Marc Badain stated that he was sure the project would be finished by 2028, mentioning that the local workforce was available and prepared to start.

It's good to see the positive impact of today, and what the next three years will mean for the community, including the construction project, new jobs, and other developments that will emerge as this building starts to be built, possibly as soon as tonight.

Badain experienced a similar situation when he worked for the NFL's Raiders. He was crucial in the team's move from Oakland to Las Vegas in 2020, and also in getting approval for and building the $2 billion Allegiant Stadium.

While waiting for Allegiant Stadium to be finished, the Raiders stayed in Oakland for three seasons, sharing their stadium with the A's. Although the Raiders kept a strong connection with the Bay Area during this time, even as they were preparing to leave, A's fans were very angry about their team's upcoming move and how it was handled.

As a result, staying in Oakland was no longer possible for the team, and they played their last season in the old stadium last year. The A's are now playing for at least three years in a Triple-A ballpark in West Sacramento, California, which is about an hour away, while they wait to move to Las Vegas.

Fisher explained that as a local team, they aim to attract the youngest fans first, believing that if they can win over the children, their parents will follow. He mentioned that building a loyal fan base happens faster than one might expect, but creating a consistently winning team takes much longer.

Our objective is to build on our current foundations, understanding that developing a team, much like any significant construction project, can take more time than anticipated. Similar to building a stadium, having the right elements is essential for achieving considerable and lasting success.

The stadium will be constructed on nine acres of the 35-acre site owned by Bally's, located at the corner of Tropicana Avenue and Las Vegas Boulevard. The Tropicana's resort towers were demolished overnight in October to make way for the new ballpark.

The A's are trying to make the most of their temporary home while also getting ready for their future. Each A's player shows this by wearing a patch of Sacramento's Tower Bridge on one sleeve and a Las Vegas logo on the other. This is part of a three-year sponsorship deal with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

In December, the Las Vegas Stadium Authority approved the lease, non-relocation agreement, and development plans, which were the final important steps for the Athletics to move to Las Vegas.

The stadium's design, shown in artistic drawings, features five overlapping levels, similar to the famous Sydney Opera House. A large glass window beyond the outfield gives an outdoor feeling with views of the Las Vegas Strip. Additionally, instead of a central air conditioning system, the cooling will be provided through the seats.

This new MLB stadium will be the smallest in the league, even though Tropicana Field, where the Tampa Bay Rays typically play, has a reduced capacity of 25,000 when its upper sections are closed. Otherwise, it can hold almost 40,000 fans.

The Rays, similar to the A's, are playing this season at a Triple-A ballpark because Hurricane Milton damaged their domed stadium. The team's long-term home is uncertain, and new owners might take over the club soon.

Progressive Field, home to the Cleveland Guardians, currently accommodates 34,830 spectators, a reduction from its original capacity of 43,345 when the stadium first opened in 1994.

The Oakland A's are expected to be the fourth major professional sports team in Las Vegas, joining the Raiders, the NHL's Golden Knights, and the WNBA's Aces.

Manfred stated that the combination of good demographics, the success of other sports, and the high amount of tourism made this an excellent market for them, and he was confident the team would do very well in Las Vegas.