Vivek Ranadive Wants To Make Sacramento A Sports Hub
India-West News Desk
SACRAMENTO, CA – Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé announced a deal to host the Oakland A’s at a renovated Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento for the next three seasons, with an option for a fourth, as the team’s permanent home in Las Vegas won’t be ready until 2028. The A’s current lease in Oakland expires after the 2024 season.
Alternative interim options such as Salt Lake City were also discussed, but Sacramento emerged as the preferred choice after months of negotiations.
This is in line with Ranadive’s vision to make Sacramento a hub for sports. “I want people to have something to do every single night of the year. I want them to have multiple options, not just one,” he said.
Ranadivé said that bringing the A’s to Sacramento was a test for a permanent MLB team. “They are planning to create a new team on the West Coast, preferably in California. This is a showcase for us. If we can demonstrate that there’s a viable market here and make the team successful, I believe we’re in a strong position to secure the new franchise,” media outlet KCRA 3 quoted Ranadive as saying.
About MLB’s long-term presence in Sacramento, he acknowledged there were no guarantees. “We have to prove ourselves,” Ranadivé said. “I have full confidence that with our incredible city and the best fans in the world, we can make it happen.”