Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman has raised concerns about the pending move of the Oakland Athletics to southern Nevada, citing traffic and location issues for the proposed baseball stadium on the Las Vegas Strip. In a recent podcast interview with Front Office Sports Today, Goodman stated that she believed the team's management genuinely desired to stay in the Bay Area of California.

During the conversation with podcast host Owen Poindexter, Goodman expressed her understanding that the Athletics' ownership, including owner John Fisher and president Dave Kaval, hoped that Oakland would build them a suitable stadium, considering the existing fan base in the area. The mayor emphasized her support for the fans in Oakland who wish for the franchise to remain in the city they have called home since 1968.

Goodman expressed concerns over the impact of events such as the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, which already contribute to traffic issues in the city. She voiced worries that a baseball stadium at the Tropicana Las Vegas Casino Resort would further exacerbate congestion, stating, "We have enough congestion right now."

While Goodman praised the original plan for a 35,000-seat stadium on a 49-acre site west of the Las Vegas Strip, she expressed confusion over the team's shift in plans to a location on the Strip. She questioned the rationale behind the change, suggesting that the desire to be closer to the Strip may stem from a strong preference to remain in Oakland and be located by the waterfront.

The mayor raised doubts about the feasibility of the Athletics' plans in Las Vegas, mentioning concerns about funding and the need for input from the people in Oakland, as it is their team. She emphasized the importance of listening to the fans and finding a way to make their dreams come true.

In a recent statement, Goodman clarified her excitement about the possibility of welcoming Major League Baseball to Las Vegas, adding that if the efforts to keep the team in Oakland fail, Las Vegas has proven to be a successful market for major league sports franchises.

The proposed move of the Oakland Athletics to Las Vegas has generated significant discussion and debate among fans and officials alike. As negotiations continue and plans evolve, it remains to be seen how these concerns will be addressed and whether the Las Vegas A's will indeed become a reality for the city.