**Athletics Owner Commits $1 Billion to Las Vegas Stadium Construction**

In a significant development, Athletics owner John Fisher alongside his family is set to inject $1 billion into building a new stadium in Las Vegas. Complementing this hefty investment, U.S. Bank and Goldman Sachs have agreed to extend a $300 million loan, as confirmed by club executive Sandy Dean on Thursday. Dean revealed these plans during a special session with the Las Vegas Stadium Authority board.

The detailed proposal includes constructing a $1.5 billion, 33,000-seat domed ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip, on the former site of the Tropicana. Final approvals are anticipated at the board’s meeting on December 5. At this meeting, four letters detailing the construction and financing will be presented. The hopeful timeline sees construction commencing in the spring with an aim to have the stadium ready before the 2028 season.

Public funding will contribute up to $380 million towards the project. During Dean’s address, he emphasized the project’s progress, stating, "We feel like we're on the right path and it will become clearer in the months ahead."

For at least the next three seasons, the Athletics will continue playing in West Sacramento, California. The team has strategized to counter the extreme heat by scheduling 60 of its 81 home games in 2025 at night, while 11 day games will occur in the cooler months of April and May. This move is a response to Sacramento's record-breaking heat experienced this summer, with temperatures averaging 103.8 degrees over a 20-day stretch.

The Athletics also announced they would be playing on natural grass in Sacramento. The scheduled 60 home night games will tie the 1968 Athletics for the franchise record. The team will share Sutter Health Park with the Triple-A River Cats, ensuring no home game overlap between the Major and Minor League teams.

This season marked the Athletics' final one in Oakland, California, ending a 57-year stint. The changes signify a momentous shift for the franchise as it transitions into a new chapter with its future sights set on Las Vegas.