The winds of change are blowing strong in Oakland, as the Athletics prepare for a transformative relocation to Las Vegas. In a major development, team president Dave Kaval announced he will resign from his position effective December 31, 2024, after serving in the role for eight years. His departure marks the end of an era defined by bold moves and grand ambitions.
Leading the Charge for a New Home
Since taking the reins as A’s president in 2016, Kaval has been the driving force behind the organization’s quest for a new ballpark. His tireless efforts to secure a state-of-the-art stadium in downtown Oakland ultimately fell short, prompting the dramatic pivot to Sin City.
We are grateful for Dave’s contributions and leadership over the past eight years, guiding our organization through a period of significant transition.
– A’s owner John Fisher
Overcoming the Final Hurdles
Kaval’s decision to step down comes on the heels of major milestones in the A’s impending move to Vegas. The team recently cleared its final obstacles, securing approval from the Las Vegas Stadium Authority on key documents related to the construction of their $1.75 billion ballpark on the Strip.
- Lease agreement – green light to build on the Vegas site
- Non-relocation terms – commitment to stay long-term
- Development plan – comprehensive stadium & facilities blueprint
With these crucial pieces in place and only minor details left to iron out, Kaval determined the time was right to pass the torch. The A’s expect to break ground on their desert jewel in spring 2025, eyeing a splashy Sin City debut to open the 2028 MLB season.
Bridging the Bay to Sacramento
In the interim, Kaval helped orchestrate another significant shift – the A’s upcoming 3-year residency in West Sacramento. The team will take up temporary residence in a minor league park starting next season, maintaining a Northern California presence while their Vegas dream becomes reality.
The team will continue to grow under new leadership, driving the organization toward success during our interim years in West Sacramento and at our new home in Las Vegas.
– A’s owner John Fisher
From the Quakes to the A’s
Prior to his stint with the A’s, Kaval served as president of the San Jose Earthquakes, the MLS club also owned by the Fisher family. His early days in Oakland were marked by an accessible, fan-friendly approach that brought new energy to the aging Coliseum.
Kaval’s initial improvements, from hosting eclectic food trucks at games to erecting the spacious “Treehouse” loft area overlooking left field, hinted at an executive determined to enhance the fan experience. But as the pursuit of a new ballpark gained steam and veered beyond the Bay, his public presence waned.
New Era, New Leadership
With Kaval’s imminent exit, the A’s will install longtime Fisher associate Sandy Dean as interim team president. Dean, who has collaborated extensively with ownership on business matters, will steer the ship as the club launches an expansive search for a permanent replacement in the new year.
As an executive headhunter scours the sports landscape for the ideal candidate to take the A’s into their next chapter, one thing is abundantly clear: Dave Kaval’s indelible imprint on the organization will endure long after he clears out his office. Love him or loathe him, his relentless drive to deliver a ballpark befitting the Green and Gold will forever be etched in franchise lore.
The Road Ahead
As the A’s embark on this voyage into uncharted territory, questions abound. Will the allure of Las Vegas provide the jolt this storied franchise desperately needs? Can the team maintain its cherished identity while embracing the glitz and glamor of its future home? Time will surely tell.
For now, all eyes turn to the final chapters of Oakland’s rich baseball legacy. With a lame duck president, a temporary suburban home on the horizon, and the neon lights of the Strip beckoning, the A’s find themselves drifting into a most peculiar purgatory. But if the past century has taught us anything, it’s that this scrappy, defiant organization always finds a way to push forward. Vegas, brace yourselves – the A’s are all in.
