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NY Post
New York Post
14 Jun 2023


NextImg:A’s fans send loud message with reverse boycott: ‘Sell the team’

Oakland A’s fans did not disappoint during Tuesday’s reverse boycott at Oakland Coliseum. 

The fanbase wants to prove they are not the issue with the team but that ownership is plaguing the last-place American League West team, which could be moved to Las Vegas by owner John Fisher. 

Tens of thousands of fans — 27,759 to be exact — made their way into the parking lot hours before the scheduled first pitch between the A’s and the Tampa Bay Rays. 

According to the Associated Press, it was the largest crowd on a Tuesday in Oakland since 2018.

In a video captured by SFGate’s Gabe Fernandez, fans could be heard chanting “Sell the team,” which was also heard loudly on the broadcast during the game’s first at-bat. 

Other videos of the pregame scene showed fans chanting “Stay in Oakland” and organizers handing out 7,000 bright green shirts with the word “SELL” emblazoned on the front. 

Oakland Athletics fans display signs during the reverse boycott game.
Getty Images

Fans protest in the outfield seats in Oakland.

Fans protest in the outfield seats in Oakland.
AP

“I’ve been coming to A’s games since I was 6, 1980s, and it just breaks my heart to see what (Fisher) is doing to the team,” A’s fan Patrick Hamilton told NBC Bay Area’s Jonathan Bloom outside the ballpark.

“He’s done it for over a decade and I’m just tired of it. And I want my team here.’ 

Hamilton added: “Do nothing and tell us you’re leaving and we’re not here. That’s it. The only reason the seats are empty is because of John Fisher and what he’s doing.” 

Even A’s broadcaster Dallas Braden made his way to the pregame protest but was hesitant to put on a “SELL” T-shirt, according to the San Jose Mercury News. 

Fans hold signs inside of the Oakland Coliseum.

Fans hold signs inside of the Oakland Coliseum.
AP

Oakland Athletics fans arrive early ahead of the reverse boycott game.

Oakland Athletics fans arrive early ahead of the reverse boycott game.
Getty Images

The reverse boycott drew plenty of support, including from Oakland Council Member At-Large Rebecca Kaplan

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao was also seen in the right field stands during Tuesday’s game.

Oakland Athletics fans are handed out free t-shirt shirts labeled 'SELL'

Oakland Athletics fans are handed out free T-shirt shirts labeled “SELL.”
Getty Images

It was a stark contrast to the just 4,848 fans that showed up for Monday’s game, and before the first pitch, A’s players were relishing the expected atmosphere. 

“It’s going to be awesome to have fans in there and energy,” A’s first baseman Seth Brown told the San Francisco Chronicle. “It’s going to be fun for a lot of guys and especially guys who haven’t played in front of a crowd in Oakland like that. Yeah, it’s going to be awesome.” 

The reverse boycott came on the same day that the Nevada state Senate committee approved a public funding bill for the A’s proposed stadium on the Tropicana hotel site on the Las Vegas Strip. 

Oakland Athletics fans arrive early ahead of the reverse boycott game against the Tampa Bay Rays

The A’s fans packed the stadium for the game in Oakland.
Getty Images

The Bill would provide $380 million of public money for the A’s ballpark in Sin City. 

The next step would be for the Nevada Assembly to take up the measure, and if it passes, it will go to the desk of Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo for his signature.