Dave Kaval, the current president of the Athletics, will resign in the coming days following his prominent role in orchestrating the team’s relocation from Oakland to Las Vegas.
Kaval, who has been with the Athletics for eight years, will officially leave his position on December 31 to explore new business prospects in California. Sandy Dean, a longstanding business associate of the Fisher family, which owns the team, is set to take over as interim president. The search for a full-time president will commence in 2025.
Kaval’s decision to resign comes after the team successfully navigated its final significant obstacles in establishing a new stadium in Las Vegas. Earlier this month, the Las Vegas Stadium Authority approved key documents, such as lease and non-relocation agreements, allowing the Athletics to proceed with a $1.75 billion stadium project on the Las Vegas Strip. Although further details, like a development agreement with Clark County, are yet to be finalized, groundbreaking is anticipated to begin in the spring, with the team aiming to play in the new stadium by the start of the 2028 season.
During Kaval’s tenure, he attempted but did not succeed in securing a new stadium in downtown Oakland. His efforts did, however, lead to the agreement that will move the Athletics to Las Vegas, concluding the team’s 57-year stay in Oakland. In the interim, the Athletics will play their games at a minor league ballpark located in West Sacramento for at least the next three seasons.
Kaval previously served as the president of the San Jose Earthquakes, part of the Major League Soccer, also under the Fisher family’s ownership. He was recognized for his approachability and innovative improvements at the Oakland Coliseum, including the introduction of food trucks and the “Treehouse”—a fan-friendly area featuring a bar and lounge.
In response to Kaval’s departure, A’s owner John Fisher expressed gratitude for Kaval’s leadership, acknowledging his role in guiding the team through a significant period of change. Fisher stated, “We are grateful for Dave’s contributions and leadership over the past eight years. As we look ahead, the team will continue to grow under new leadership, aiming for success both during our interim period in West Sacramento and at our new home in Las Vegas.”
Dave Kaval’s resignation marks a pivotal moment for the Athletics as they transition into a new phase of their history. With the groundwork laid for a move to Las Vegas, the team now looks to its future leadership to guide them through this transformative period.
Source: News4jax
