The Oakland Athletics’ presumptive relocation to Las Vegas has gradually morphed into one of the messiest sports moves of the 21st century. Virtually every one of owner John Fisher’s missteps has been scrutinized—including by Nevada power brokers—and criticized by fans.
On the surface, releasing renderings of a potential new Las Vegas stadium would seem like a certain way to get the Athletics a bit of sorely needed positive PR.
When such renderings were released Tuesday, fans mostly thought they looked … familiar.
A tweet displaying the released illustrations was inundated with comparisons between the yet-to-be-constructed ballpark and the famed Sydney Opera House—even among fans who liked the design.
After months without an update, new renderings of the A's $1.5 billion ballpark in Las Vegas have surfaced. pic.twitter.com/BsTBfUTVV0
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) March 5, 2024
And it’s true: any reasonable person who looks at the illustrations would most likely think of the Sydney Opera House’s trademark sails.
yeah so that is simply just the sydney opera house https://t.co/p9urD4qxSU
— Jake (@JakeWallinger) March 5, 2024
Some suggested a name change was in order.
Welcome to Sydney, Nevada, USA. https://t.co/vZFDLLSEmY
— DANI 🇳🇮 (@dvnibrixnes) March 5, 2024
All told, it was in many respects another misfire for the franchise.
The A’s just tryna copy the Sydney Opera House’s homework https://t.co/UnoJ183Yhj
— Jerry Jones Lies To Us (@thejelanireid) March 5, 2024
Sydney was not the only proposed alternate relocation site, though.
Are the A's moving to Mars? https://t.co/Reycq4rSAF
— Dom Izzo (@DomIzzoWDAY) March 5, 2024
Later in the day, the Athletics posted the renderings on their X account. Although the team disabled replies, the quotes were voluminous.
Sydney called, they’d like to file a complaint. https://t.co/8Je5Tfecb5
— Sickos Committee (@SickosCommittee) March 5, 2024
What in the Sydney, Australia https://t.co/dUEY1CDxZk
— Dave ChapPALE 🎙 (@TheActualJD) March 5, 2024
They paid folks to create SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE: Vegas. #EpicFail and bad money ball. https://t.co/gUf2upTcDI
— Kevin R. Tipple (@kevinrtipple) March 5, 2024
Looks stupid af and you ripped off the Sydney Opera House https://t.co/ZFDNu4zaY7
— Serenity Now! 🇺🇸 (@Serenitynow1776) March 5, 2024
