Oakland A’s fans plan Sacramento protest for Triple-A game vs Las Vegas

Protests from A’s fans have been relatively quiet, except for a few signs here and there in organized resistance to owner John Fisher’s plan to move the Athletics to Sacramento and eventually Las Vegas.

That will end on April 27 when Oakland diehards mobilized by the Last Dive Bar and Oakland 68s fan groups make their presence known in Sacramento for the first time.

THE SALE MEETS THE BAG!!!

It’s time to introduce ourselves to Vivek!!!

LDB and the 68’s are heading north and we need your support!

Get a lawn ticket and let’s pack the grass! Wear SELL gear, bring your flag and let’s make sure Vivek hears us loud and clear!

Get your tax… pic.twitter.com/e3KWQVA9J9

– Last Dive Bar 🏟 (@LastDiveBar) April 15, 2024

The plan announced Monday on the Last Dive Bar website is for A’s fans opposed to Fisher’s ownership to buy as many lawn seats as possible for the Sacramento River Cats’ game against the Las Vegas Aviators – the first time that the movement faces Sacramento directly afterwards. the club’s announcement that it would play from 2025 to at least 2027 at Sutter Health Park.

Sacramento is the Triple-A affiliate of the Giants, Las Vegas Athletics.

Working with Vivek Ranadive, owner of both the NBA Sacramento Kings and the Pacific Coast League River Cats, the A’s and owner John Fisher agreed on April 4 to play at Triple-A Stadium rent-free until their draft stadium in Las Vegas can be financed and built.

If all goes as planned, this will be the A’s last year at the Coliseum. A’s fans who protested the decision plan to continue the fight.

“This is our response and letting Vivek know that we are not leaving,” said Bryan Johansen, co-founder of Last Dive Bar. “Just because you’re going to Sacramento doesn’t mean we’re not going to haunt you and make sure everything you do is exposed and the community knows exactly who they’re dealing with and how they’re helping someone like John Fisher.

After the move to Sacramento was announced, A’s president Dave Kaval talked about making it a “memorable” event last year at the Coliseum. Plans include increased alumni participation, discounts on tickets and hot dogs and a replica Coliseum on Sept. 26 for the first 25,000 fans — the last scheduled game at the venue.

“I mean, it’s a joke, an embarrassment,” said Aaron Casanares of the Oakland 68s. “How many times did (Kaval) lie to Oakland? To the fans? To other cities?

The A’s are currently 7-9 and have won three straight series for the first time since 2021, although leaders of the “sell out” movement appear resolute in their boycott promise.

The A’s tied 8,637 on Sunday thanks to a Little League day, and Stu Clary, who helped organize the first fan boycott at the Coliseum, doesn’t see things getting much better. The average attendance over 10 home games is 5,948 – the lowest in the major leagues.

Clary lives in Vacaville and said he had no plans to attend a game in Sacramento even though it’s closer to home, although he was contacted before the protest plans in Sacramento .

“People are staying in droves,” Clary said. “I haven’t been to a game yet. I think people will be happy that the team is playing well, and I’m happy to see that. But I don’t think that really changes things.

Ranadive’s courting of the A’s seems hypocritical to members of the protest movement who remember him saving the Sacramento Kings from moving to Seattle, Virginia Beach or Anaheim.

“The Kings’ owner steps in and saves them,” Clary said. “Now this same guy allowed John Fisher to move the team to West Sac and these same people who were beside themselves with losing a team allowed another team to leave.”