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Oakland Coliseum, home of the Oakland Athletics. | Photo courtesy of redlegsfan21/Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
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As the Oakland Athletics explore the possibility of relocating to Las Vegas, the team’s loyal fan base fought back with a “reverse boycott” at Tuesday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The protest aimed to show that there is still a strong fan base in Oakland that is ready to support the A’s, even as the team considers moving to Nevada.
The A’s fan base has faced many challenges over the years, including a lack of investment from ownership and frequent trades of popular players. Despite these obstacles, fans have remained passionate about the team and have always been willing to show their support.
Unfortunately, the A’s current attendance has become a factor in the team’s efforts to leave Oakland. At Nevada legislative hearings this week, backers of the new stadium in Las Vegas cited the low attendance numbers in Oakland as a reason for the move.
But A’s fans are not giving up without a fight. The reverse boycott, which originated before the team announced its plans to move, is meant to challenge this notion of fan apathy and show just how dedicated the fan base in Oakland truly is.
Organizers of the event were expecting a large turnout for Tuesday’s game, as thousands of fans attended the game and showed their support for the A’s. The Oakland 68s and apparel maker Oaklandish teamed up to make thousands of T-shirts that read “Sell,” a message aimed directly at A’s owner John Fisher.
The 68s raised over $30,000 via online donations to fund the T-shirts, which will be distributed to fans before the game. The protest is intended to be a “fan-funded giveaway” that highlights the passion and dedication of A’s fans in Oakland.
As the Nevada State Legislature resumes its special session on whether to approve funding for a new A’s stadium in Las Vegas, fans in Oakland are making their voices heard. The reverse boycott and other protests show that A’s fans are committed to keeping the team in Oakland and ensuring that it has the support it needs to succeed.
