Salt Lake City, Utah could be a potential temporary home for the Oakland Athletics as they search for a new stadium in Las Vegas, according to reports. The team’s executives are set to visit Smith’s Ballpark in Salt Lake City this week, as their lease in Oakland ends after this season and their new Nevada stadium won’t be completed until 2028. While Salt Lake City officials have not provided specific details, a spokesman for the city’s mayor has confirmed their interest in hosting the Athletics at Smith’s Ballpark. The city believes that having Major League Baseball (MLB) in Salt Lake City, even temporarily, could have a positive impact on the neighborhood.
Smith’s Ballpark is not the only option being considered by the Athletics. The team also toured Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California, and is looking into the possibility of playing at Las Vegas Ballpark, home of their Triple-A affiliate, the Las Vegas Aviators, as well as Oracle Park in San Francisco and Greater Nevada Field in Reno, Nevada.
The timing of the Salt Lake City offer appears to align well for both parties. The lease between Salt Lake City and the Larry H. Miller Company, which owns the Salt Lake Bees, expires this year. With the Bees moving to a new stadium in South Jordan’s Daybreak community, redevelopment agency officials are currently determining the future of Smith’s Ballpark. While any new plans for the stadium are still being finalized, the city is open to using it for festivals and events in the meantime.
The Athletics potentially playing in Smith’s Ballpark would not change the long-term plans for the neighborhood, according to Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s spokesman. The city remains committed to developing a long-term strategy that prioritizes year-round activation of the property.
Meanwhile, the Larry H. Miller Company is leading an effort to bring MLB to Salt Lake City on a more permanent basis. Their plan, supported by a coalition of Utah leaders and residents, aims to build a new stadium in Salt Lake City’s forthcoming Power District on the west side. It is expected that MLB will explore expansion on a wider scale in the near future.
Having Major League Baseball in Salt Lake City, even if only temporarily, could bring excitement and economic benefits to the city. The Athletics’ potential move to Smith’s Ballpark is just one part of the ongoing discussions about the future of the stadium and the possibility of an expansion team in Salt Lake City. Both the city and the Larry H. Miller Company are actively working to ensure that Salt Lake City remains a viable option for a permanent MLB team. Overall, the potential arrival of Major League Baseball in Salt Lake City is generating considerable interest and may transform the city’s sports landscape.