Context:

The Oakland Athletics have broken ground on their $1.75 billion ballpark in Las Vegas, marking a significant relocation from Oakland. The ballpark, with a capacity of 33,000, is set to open in 2028, with $380 million in public funding approved by Nevada and Clark County. This move follows a similar relocation by the NFL's Raiders, and the A's are currently playing in a Triple-A ballpark in West Sacramento as they await the stadium's completion. The new stadium will be built on a site previously occupied by the Tropicana resort, with distinctive architecture inspired by the Sydney Opera House. The Athletics' move to Las Vegas is seen as a strategic decision, leveraging the city's successful sports market and tourism industry, and they will become the fourth major sports team in the area.

Dive Deeper:

• The groundbreaking ceremony for the Athletics' new stadium in Las Vegas was attended by team owner John Fisher, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, and several dignitaries, highlighting the significance of this $1.75 billion project for the team and the city.

• Nevada and Clark County have committed up to $380 million in public funds to support the construction of the 33,000-seat ballpark, which is expected to be completed by 2028, promising to bring jobs and economic growth to the area.

• The relocation follows the successful move of the NFL's Raiders to Las Vegas, with team president Marc Badain, who also oversaw the Raiders' transition, playing a key role in the Athletics' move from Oakland.

• The new ballpark will occupy nine acres of the former Tropicana site, featuring a unique design reminiscent of the Sydney Opera House, and will offer panoramic views of the Las Vegas Strip through a large glass window beyond the outfield.

• Currently, the Athletics are playing at a Triple-A ballpark in West Sacramento, displaying their transitional status with patches representing both Sacramento and Las Vegas, as they prepare for their eventual integration into the Las Vegas sports community.

• The Athletics' relocation is strategic, capitalizing on Las Vegas' thriving sports market, demographic advantages, and tourist influx, with MLB commissioner Rob Manfred expressing confidence in the team's potential success in the city.

• Upon completion, the Athletics will join the Raiders, NHL's Golden Knights, and WNBA's Aces as the fourth major professional sports team in Las Vegas, further cementing the city's reputation as a burgeoning sports hub.