Athletics suffer early 2025 blow after ditching Oakland as request rejected

Athletics chiefs have been handed a blow after a Californian media outlet issued a firm rebuttal of its "guidance" on the team's name - as the publication vowed to refer to them as "the Sacramento Athletics" during their stay in the city.

The A's boast a long and proud history as an original charter member of the American League and have been based out of locations such as Philadelphia , Kansas City before today.

The team moved to Oakland in 1968, having played at the eponymous Oakland Stadium for the 57 years between 1968 to 2024.

However, the MLB approved plans for the team to relocate to Las Vegas back in 2023, with the Athletics' final home game in Oakland having been staged back in September.

The team will play at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento for three seasons while a new 33,000-capacity stadium in Nevada is built.

Signing off from Oakland after 57 years at the Oakland Coliseum, Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive welcomed the temporary We have an incredible community and a passionate fan base the best fans in the world.

Today's announcement marks the next chapter of professional sports in Sacramento." Athletics manager Mark Kotsay also paid tribute to the staff left behind after the final game in Oakland, saying: "There are no better fans than you guys.

To the staff who dedicated their lives to the Oakland As, especially those who arent coming with us, I am forever grateful.

I will never forget you." An official advisory from Athletics chiefs on the matter of the team's official name was then released back in November and caused a major stir in the baseball community.

Their statement read: "When referring to the team name, use only 'Athletics'.

You may use "A's" on second reference.

ATH is the approved designation for the Athletics." Despite the release of what the Athletics dubbed their "brand transition guidelines", the San Francisco Chronicle has now rejected these words of advice.

The publication has now vowed to refer to the team as the Sacramento Athletics - at least during its stay in the city between 2025 and 2027.

Writer John Shea explained the reasoning behind the outlet's stance, as he asserted: "Whats wrong in the interim with being called the Sacramento As? Absolutely nothing.

It would have been a nice display of pride, maybe even gratitude.

But if fans want to call this team the Sacramento As, they have every right." The journalist added that his publication will not be following the guidance online or in print, adding: "Same with the media.

The Chronicle has decided not to follow the As guidelines and will call them the Sacramento Athletics or Sacramento As online and in print stories." West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero has embraced the opportunity to play host to the A's over the next three years, saying previously: "We're going to make this beautiful, intimate place a welcoming, embracing environment.

We are so excited for this historic day because it's been a dream of West Sacramento to have a major league team here.".

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