There have been eight franchises in "Big Four" sports that have moved from one media market to another this century—the Expos to Washington, the Grizzlies to Memphis, the Hornets to New Orleans, the SuperSonics to Oklahoma City, the Rams to Los Angeles, the Chargers to Los Angeles, the Raiders to Las Vegas, and the Thrashers to Winnipeg.
In terms of sheer weirdness, none of those relocations can quite approach the Athletics' move to Las Vegas—a move formally approved by baseball's owners Thursday. The franchise, owner John Fisher and commissioner Rob Manfred spent much of the pre-move process in open antagonism toward fans of Oakland and baseball writ large.
Thus, when Fisher wrote an open letter to Athletics fans after the relocation's approval, it was received accordingly.
A letter from John Fisher to A’s fans: pic.twitter.com/DVOQCiN9Fj
— Britt Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) November 16, 2023
Many were succinct in their responses, toeing the line between printable and unprintable.
Letters from A's fans to John Fisher: F U https://t.co/7K8IRDmlt7
— Ryan Thibodaux (@NotMrTibbs) November 16, 2023
Plenty of writers were skeptical of Fisher's statements, with Marc Carig of The Athletic alluding to the franchise's well-documented issues building a stadium in Nevada.
Wake me when there’s a shovel in the ground in Las Vegas. https://t.co/S8D88OHwMt
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) November 16, 2023
Some thought Fisher could've been a little more honest about his motives...
A more accurate letter from him would say “suck it I hate you and I stole your money and your team” https://t.co/BltpF0rW9S
— Brice Paterik (@BricePaterik) November 16, 2023
...given his net worth, estimated at $2.6 billion.
Fisher writing this letter https://t.co/bn8oaOaiyo pic.twitter.com/5CMZ0BHtuh
— Dave (@gggiants) November 16, 2023
Regardless of team allegiance, public sympathies lay with a city that has now lost all of its professional sports teams in the last decade.
He could have sent out a picture of his middle finger. Would have gotten the message across just the same. https://t.co/DhgZgLX7te
— Roy, staring out the window, waiting for spring.⚾ (@Zippy_TMS) November 16, 2023
