Oakland A’s Mulling Stake Sale at $2B Valuation

Before the team's relocation to Las Vegas, the soon-to-be ex-Oakland Athletics (A's) are reportedly contemplating the sale of a minority stake in the organization. 

Unnamed sources knowledgeable about the situation informed The New York Post that owner John Fisher is aiming to sell up to 25% of the team for $500 million, suggesting that the Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise is valued at $2 billion. That's considerably more than the $1.2 billion Forbes reported as the team's value prior to the beginning of this season. Valued at $1 billion, the A's were worth more than only the Miami Marlins. 

The speculation emerged a week after the team and Bally’s unveiled designs for a stadium and casino hotel initiative at the location that was previously home to the Tropicana on the Las Vegas Strip. The $1.5 billion stadium will cover nine of the 35 acres of the site, with building expected to commence in the second quarter of 2025. 

The A's are set to compete in Sacramento during the 2025 to 2027 seasons, with 2028 anticipated to mark the team's inaugural season in Las Vegas. 

Prices for A’s stake sale in Vegas change 

Should the rumor that Fisher is looking to sell a 25% stake in the A's at a $2 billion valuation turn out to be true, he’s trying to capitalize on the team's relocation to Las Vegas. In essence, he’s anticipating that prospective investors will concur that the team's worth will rise once they relocate to Sin City. 

There is some history indicating that the shift from Oakland to Las Vegas can generate value for professional teams. In 2019 — the final year of the NFL team in Oakland — the Raiders had a valuation of $2.9 billion, placing them 12th among the league's 32 franchises. That valuation has now risen to $6.7 billion, ranking the Raiders as the sixth team in the NFL. Last year, the Raiders earned $780 million in revenue, ranking as the third-highest figure in the league. 

Raiders owner Mark Davis has taken advantage of the team's increasing value, recently selling a 5% share to iconic quarterback Tom Brady for an estimated $335 million. 

As noted by The Post, the possible sales of the Chicago White Sox and the Minnesota Twins — each of which could fetch around $2 billion — might impact Fisher’s attempts to capitalize on a share of the A’s. 

$500M a Captivating Number 

It remains uncertain whether the subsequent factors are linked, but it's simple to piece the connections together. Fisher is said to be looking to sell as much as $500 million of his baseball team, which is the sum required for the club to complete its $1.1 billion stadium financing commitment in Las Vegas. 

Gaming and Leisure Properties, the owner of the land where the stadium will be built, has pledged to offer some funding for the project. 

It's still uncertain where Bally's will source the funds to construct a new integrated resort adjacent to the stadium. The regional casino operator is concentrating on finalizing its permanent location in Chicago, yet has consistently communicated its intention to retain a lasting existence in Las Vegas.