Opposing fans will invade the new stadium, making John Fisher and the Oakland Athletics the road team every game
One thing proposed when the Vegas Golden Knights started in the NHL was the idea of opposing fans invading T-Mobile Arena. The team wasn't going to be successful immediately because they were, well, an expansion team. At least, that's what conventional wisdom told us until they made the Stanley Cup FInal in their inaugural season.
This concept might become a reality for the Oakland Athletics heading to Las Vegas.
The parallels between the Chargers move to LA and the Athletics move to Las Vegas are really quite interesting.
— Taylor Davis (@tay13gup) September 26, 2024
Both teams games are going to be filled with majority visiting fans and celebrities looking for a night out.
That's the harsh reality facing John Fisher and MLB. Sure, he'll get money as opposing fans pour in for a game at the Americanized Sydney Opera House. However, it's not growing the local fanbase organically in the same fashion as Bill Foley and company did.
In fact, the Golden Knights are EXPANDING their outreach efforts outside of Nevada. They recently moved into Arizona with broadcast affiliates, moving ahead with a VGK watch party in Gilbert, Arizona, and ice hockey clinics for the youth. Sure, Fisher and the A's have sponsored events like the Battle for Vegas. However, Foley puts in a more concerted effort in his community, where he's built a strong following.