Elephant Rumblings: Fisher to pay tax if A’s are sold before 2034

Happy Monday, Athletics Nation!

I’ve heard some fans speculate that A’s owner John Fisher may want to flip the team once they find a new home, hoping his franchise’s value will be bolstered by moving into a shiny, publicly subsidized new stadium.

However, Bob Nightengale at USA Today reported that the league’s approval of the A’s relocation plan came with strings attached, including sizable penalties if Fisher sells the team in the next ten years.

While MLB waived approximately $300 million in relocation fees to assist the A’s intended move to Las Vegas, they have imposed a 20 percent tax on the proceeds of the team’s sale should it take place before 2028, the year the A’s plan to open a new ballpark on the Vegas Strip. The penalty falls to 10 percent in 2029 and gradually phases out from there.

So it looks like Fisher will have a strong incentive to hang onto the A’s for awhile. Vegas baseball fans must be thrilled!

A’s Coverage:

• It’s Terrible To Be In Forst Place
• 2023 Athletics Season in Review: Chad Smith
• An Interesting Nugget About the Oakland Athletics’ Relocation to Las Vegas
• With door closing on A’s future, Oaklanders ponder how to move on

MLB News & Interest:

• The Phillies and Aaron Nola — forever linked: What the $172M deal means for both sides
• MLB non-tender deadline: 10 most interesting players added to baseball’s free-agent pool ($)
• Braves Interested In Sonny Gray
• Nightengale’s Notebook: What made late Padres owner Peter Seidler beloved by his MLB peers
• Today in Baseball History

Best of X:

Save John Fisher.