Oakland A’s fans hope ‘reverse boycott’ helps narrative
Oakland A’s fans are protesting against the team’s “neglectful and irresponsible ownership” with a “reverse boycott” of attending games while attempting to fill the 63,000-capacity Oakland Coliseum on Tuesday night when the team hosts the Tampa Bay Rays. The protest is in response to the franchise’s proposed move to Las Vegas. Fans hope to “make a statement to not only ownership but to MLB and the whole world that this isn’t our fault, that we are here,” according to fan Gabriel Hernandez. The organizers have raised over $30,000 and plan to hand out 7,000 bright green “SELL” T-shirts at the game and tailgate party beforehand. Over 25,000 tickets have been sold for the game, which is expected to be the most attended in Oakland this season. The A’s are last in the majors in both the standings and attendance figures.
What is a “reverse boycott”?
A “reverse boycott” is a protest action where instead of refusing to buy or use a particular product or service, consumers intentionally go out and support the product or service to communicate their displeasure with how the company is being run rather than the quality of the product.
Why are the fans protesting?
The fans are protesting against the A’s ownership, specifically John Fisher and team president Dave Kaval, due to the team’s proposed move to Las Vegas.
What are the fans hoping to achieve with the protest?
The fans are hoping to send a message to not only ownership but to MLB and the whole world that they are not at fault for the low attendance numbers, but rather the ownership is the problem.
How have the organizers raised money?
The organizers have raised over $30,000 through a GoFundMe page for the protest and are planning to hand out 7,000 bright green “SELL” T-shirts during a tailgate party before Tuesday’s game.
What is the status of the team’s proposed move to Las Vegas?
The Oakland A’s are in talks about a financing plan to move the team to Las Vegas. On Tuesday, the Nevada state Senate committee approved a public funding bill for the A’s proposed stadium on the Tropicana Las Vegas Strip site. The bill would provide up to $380 million for the $1.5 billion, 30,000-seat stadium.
Reverse Boycott Gives Oakland A’s Fans Hope for New Narrative
Oakland A’s fans are gearing up for a “reverse boycott” as the team considers a move to Las Vegas. Protesters are planning to fill the Oakland Coliseum in response to the “team’s neglectful and irresponsible ownership.” Despite being last in the majors, both in the standings and attendance, attendees of the reverse boycott are aiming to send a message that ownership–not the fans–is the problem. The organizers have reportedly raised over $30,000 for the cause and plan to distribute 7,000 bright green “SELL” t-shirts during a tailgate party before the game. After acquiring just 4,848 fans on Monday night, more than 25,000 people are said to have purchased tickets for Tuesday’s game. The A’s are in talks for a financing plan to move the team to Las Vegas, and on Tuesday, a Nevada state Senate committee approved a public funding bill for the proposed stadium.