With Major League Baseball’s Oakland Athletics currently relocating to Las Vegas, the franchise is in need of a temporary home. South Jordan has offered its services. 

The Larry H. Miller Company recently hosted the Athletics on a tour of its new ballpark site in South Jordan, where ground was broken in October for the new Salt Lake Bees stadium. That stadium is expected to open in spring 2025 and is being considered as a potential temporary home (along with the current Smith’s Ballpark in Salt Lake City) for the team while its estimated $1.5 billion Las Vegas stadium is being built. 

Larry H. Miller Company’s CEO Steve Starks said in a statement they were in “regular contact with the Athletics” and “demonstrated we can accommodate their ballpark needs.” 

“In addition to Smith’s Ballpark, we will have a new ballpark opening in 2025 in Downtown Daybreak, South Jordan, anchoring a sports and entertainment district that features first-class player and fan amenities,” Starks said. “This new ballpark will support the A’s needs and has been the focus of their interest. It will include breathtaking views of the field and the Wasatch Mountains, is easily accessible from Mountain View Corridor and TRAX, and is in the fastest-growing part of Salt Lake County. 

“Our unique, two-stadium solution would ensure that baseball stays in the Salt Lake market as the Salt Lake Bees return to Smith’s Ballpark for additional seasons.”

South Jordan City released a statement adding its location “positions us as an ideal host.” 

“The City of South Jordan is ready to embrace the opportunity of hosting a Major League Baseball team and would love to welcome the Athletics to our community,” said South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey. “Our community has a rich history of baseball with a legacy that dates back to the South Jordan Red Gales. We continue to foster a love for the game today through our very popular youth baseball programs.”

The city affirmed its commitment to being a “welcoming home” to the Athletics and MLB. 

“Along with our partners from the Larry H. Miller Company, we are prepared to roll out the red carpet, showcasing South Jordan as one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic areas in the state,” Ramsey said.

The Las Vegas stadium, according to reports, won’t be ready until 2027, giving the Athletics at least three full seasons before its relocation. The franchise has played at the Oakland Coliseum since 1968, sharing the venue with NFL’s Raiders franchise, who recently moved to Las Vegas as well. One year remains on the team’s lease with the Oakland Coliseum. Reports suggest Sacramento could also temporarily house the A’s at its Sutter Health Park, home of the San Francisco Giants AAA minor league affiliate, the River Cats. λ