“It’s been a slow death, like going to the doctor and being told you have two years to live.” This is former State Senate President, Tem Don Perata’s reaction to Oakland’s Thursday afternoon misery. The time has finally arrived and the Oakland natives bid farewell to their beloved MLB side, the Oakland Athletics, which will now heartbreakingly be known as just the ‘Athletics’. Despite Stephen Curry’s message of love for the locals last year, the A’s fans continued despising John Fisher for keeping the team’s payroll at rock-bottom of the season-wide charts. The situation eventually turned “unforgivable,” promoting “sell the team” chants in recent seasons.

Long story short, since the ownership change, the A’s were in turmoil with the fandom for years. Many fans stopped showing up to the home games, slowly deteriorating the franchise and eventually forcing the owner, John Fisher, to move the side to Las Vegas. It’s broken the hearts of loyal fans who tried their best to keep the team in the city. Unfortunately, their efforts went in vain.

On Thursday, the A’s played their last game at the Oakland Coliseum against the Texas Rangers. Unlike in the past, fans packed the stadium this time for the farewell game. Two women were spotted in black veils! The team, which has played in the city since 1968,  aims to move to Las Vegas by 2028 to play in a newly built stadium. Until then, a minor league park in West Sacramento would host the side.

Amid this melancholic day, it brings tears to our eyes to look back at Stephen Curry‘s efforts to motivate the fans on their undying efforts to keep the A’s alive last year. Speaking in an interview with ABC News, the Warriors superstar had said, “Just keeping as many professional teams in this area because it matters. The community has something to look forward to and be proud of and bring out that Oakland pride.” While the hooper also left Oakland a few years ago, the superstar has his roots intact.

How did Stephen Curry keep his roots in Oakland after the Warriors’ exit?

Up until the 2018-19 season, the Golden State Warriors had their base in Oakland, playing home games at the Oracle Arena. Following that, the team moved to San Francisco and shifted their home games to Chase Center. While the Dubs’ exit already hurt the Oaktown locals, they’ve now had yet another heartbreak 5 years later. Notably, GSW was at its peak, winning 3 Finals in 5 appearances, when they decided to move out. Unfortunately, things have changed drastically after that, as they reached Finals only once.

Amid this grim reality, Stephen Curry didn’t really move far away from the city. Of course, Steph and Ayesha packed their bags and physically moved to San Francisco, but their hearts still beat for Oakland. Speaking of the city, the 4x Champ said, “It’s our adopted home, where we grew up as adults, where we started our family. … Eat. Learn. Play. is rooted in Oakland and services Oakland, and we look at where the most impact can be made.”

The couple, through their foundation, have pledged to serve children, saying, “We need to reach kids where they are. We want to do what we can to transform the school experience for a generation.” Will Steph philanthropically giving back to the community, be enough to console the Oakland locals as another sporting legacy leaves them? Let us know in the comments below.