“The Oakland Athletics were killed by greed.” This is how Jeff Passan summed up the death of baseball in the city of Oakland. But the real question is who is responsible for ruining baseball in Oakland? Once one of the most successful franchises in Major League Baseball, the A’s downfall should be a lesson for all MLB owners.

Back in 2005, when John Fisher became the A’s owner, that was the start of baseball’s decline in Oakland. How so? We will have to go back to 1992 when Fisher along with his father became a part owner of the San Francisco Giants. Per Rob Garratt of the Society of American Baseball Research, Fisher “did not have time” to run a baseball club when the then Giants owner, Bob Lurie, requested a leadership role.

Enter 2005, John Fisher purchases the Oakland Athletics for $180 million. Right from the start of his ownership, Fisher’s focus was not on the growth of baseball as a sport in Oakland. Instead, he was keen on building a new stadium in the same city, keeping his real state business as a priority.

Did John Fisher Kill Baseball in Oakland?

On the field, the A’s might not have been as good as the likes of the New York Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, etc. But they were a team that would play the postseason most often. Even after Fisher purchased the A’s, they made it to the postseason seven times in the last 19 years, the last appearance being in 2020.

While almost all MLB teams improved their roster, fans’ experience in ballparks, and their core management, the A’s failed in all fronts. To give more context, the A’s entire payroll in 2022 and 2023 was lower than the Mets pitcher, Max Scherzer who signed a $130 million contract for 3 years.

Not only did Fisher limit the funds for yearly roster payrolls, but the A’s owner also let go of some promising ballplayers like Matt Olson, Chris Bassitt, Sean Murphy, Matt Chapman, and a few others, who are now a significant part of their respective clubhouse. As for the attendance in Oakland Coliseum, they have the worst record in all MLB in the last 4 years.

Read More: Mournful Tom Hanks Blames MLB for “Beloved” Oakland Athletics’ Heartbreaking Exit – “Owners and Baseball Blew the Lead”

During the 2023 season, when it was almost confirmed that the Athletics would be moving out of Oakland, baseball fans roared their voice against John Fisher. Their demand was clear; “Sale The Team.” But now that the Nevada Legislature has approved $380 million to build their $1.5 billion stadium, the 2024 season was the last time the A’s played baseball in Oakland.

Only time will tell whether the A’s will survive in Las Vegas or they will fall victim to greed and poor ownership.