The recent announcement that the Oakland Athletics will be moving to Las Vegas marks yet another chapter in the history of sports team relocations. For the A's, this will be the third move in the franchise's history, having previously relocated from Philadelphia to Kansas City in 1955, and then from Kansas City to Oakland in 1968. The move to Las Vegas signifies the city's growing appeal as a major sports hub, already home to the NHL's Golden Knights and the NFL's Raiders, who also left Oakland.
The history of team relocations is filled with dramatic departures, contentious decisions, and, inevitably, a trail of disappointed fans. Let’s take a look at some of the most notable moves in American sports history.
The Westward Move of the Dodgers and Giants
One of the most famous instances of team relocation occurred in the late 1950s when two historic Major League Baseball teams, the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants, left New York City for California. In 1958, the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles, and the Giants relocated to San Francisco. The decision to move both teams west was driven by the opportunity to capitalize on the rapidly growing markets in California, which were largely untapped by professional baseball at the time.
The Dodgers' move, in particular, left a deep scar on Brooklyn fans, who had grown up idolizing players like Jackie Robinson. Despite the bitterness surrounding the departure, the move helped establish baseball on the West Coast and set the stage for future team relocations.
Cleveland Browns to Baltimore, and the Baltimore Colts’ Disappearance
In 1996, another controversial relocation unfolded as the Cleveland Browns moved to Baltimore, where they became the Ravens. Browns fans were devastated to lose their beloved team, which had been a staple of the community since 1946. The NFL awarded Cleveland a new Browns franchise three years later, recognizing the city’s deep football roots.
Ironically, Baltimore had previously been on the losing end of another infamous relocation. In 1984, the Baltimore Colts, under cover of darkness, famously snuck out of town to relocate to Indianapolis. Using a convoy of moving trucks, the team quickly departed, leaving Baltimore without an NFL franchise and infuriating a passionate fan base. The departure became one of the most bitter relocation sagas in sports history, with fans and city officials feeling blindsided by the sudden move.
The St. Louis Browns Move to Baltimore
Before the modern Baltimore Orioles came into existence, the city of St. Louis had its own American League team, the Browns. In 1954, after years of struggling financially and on the field, the team moved to Baltimore and became the Orioles. The Browns' relocation was partly driven by the St. Louis market's inability to support two teams, as the Cardinals were the dominant franchise in the city. Since moving to Baltimore, the Orioles have enjoyed a storied history, including three World Series championships.
Frequent Switching in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has been a revolving door for NFL and NBA franchises. The Rams originally moved from Cleveland to L.A. in 1946, later relocating to St. Louis in 1995, and then returning to Los Angeles in 2016. Meanwhile, the Raiders have oscillated between Oakland and L.A. before settling in Las Vegas. In the NBA, the Lakers began in Minneapolis before finding a permanent home in Los Angeles in 1960, while the Clippers moved from Buffalo to San Diego and then to L.A.
Once upon a time the Angels were the LA Angels. Then they were the California Angels for a while, before becoming the Anaheim Angels and Los Angeles of Anaheim(!). Now, that team is again the LA Angels. In the NFL, the Chargers are in LA currently, but were once in San Diego. Even the LA Clippers were the San Diego Clippers in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Las Vegas: The New Sports Destination
The relocation of the Oakland A's to Las Vegas is the latest example of Sin City's emergence as a sports hub. The city’s appeal lies in its vibrant tourism industry and modern sports facilities, which have already attracted the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights in 2017 and the Raiders in 2020. With the A's on the way, Las Vegas is poised to solidify itself as a premier sports destination.
The history of team relocations reflects shifting economic opportunities, changing market dynamics, and the ever-present desire of owners to maximize profits. While relocations often leave behind heartbroken fans, they continue to be a significant part of the sports landscape, shaping the identities of cities and franchises alike.
