Hmm, realistically the South Bay can no longer be described as thriving, at least not in comparison to the East Bay. It ain't 1999 anymore, though you can't blame the national media for not knowing that.

...in Alameda County?

It's Fremont.

Fremont is in Alameda County.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Las Vegas Athletics!

If everything falls through in the Bay Area, Las Vegas could well be a decent alternative.

With the National League already having Denver and Phoenix, AL owners would probably like to get into that part of the country. That way, Portland could be reserved for a relocating NL franchise, although Oregon may not have enough porn stars to suit David Samson.

I have my doubts that Las Vegas could sustain a major-league franchise. It's a very isolated metro area, with very few population centers within 150 miles or so. There's the gambling angle. And the sustainability of the city itself, given water-supply issues, is very much in question.

It COULD work. But it's an uphill battle.

"If everything falls through in the Bay Area, Las Vegas could well be a decent alternative."


Fremont won't fall through. The city government is very agreeable, and have already made significant overtures to the club. And a good portion of the population seems to think it's a good idea, and thsoe who don't really don't care all that much either way - but they'll pay attention once they realize that the A's coming to town means a significant raise to their property values and the creation of a genuine commercial district in the city. There's very few things the upper-middle class appreciates more than a huge spike in their already overvalued housing prices. Plus, the only viable build site is currently a whole lot of unused land on the edge of the city (currently leased by Cisco Systems). Trust me, I live in Fremont. Something incredibly unforseen will have to happen for Fremont not to work.

And no, I'm not saying this just because I want the A's to come. I would actually prefer for them to stay in Oakland, but it looks like the chances of that happening are slim to none.

Something incredibly unforseen will have to happen for Fremont not to work.

Other than the site being totally unsuitable, of course.

Fremont won't work unless they find a site near the BART station and somehow increase their budget to fund a much larger police department. In other words, the A's won't be moving to Fremont.

How about East Palo Alto?

Considering how user-friendly Las Vegas is - especially its affordability and international aiport - it seems simple that a major league franchise would be sustained on the attendance by fans of the opposing clubs alone.

it seems simple that a major league franchise would be sustained on the attendance by fans of the opposing clubs alone.

That's no way to build a franchise. ROOOOAD TRIPPP!!!! might work for a few years, but not everyone goes to Vegas every year. Eventually the novelty will wear off.

And the sustainability of the city itself, given water-supply issues, is very much in question.

Please tell me this is a joke. You ever see Lake Mead?