5 Potential Destinations If the Oakland Athletics Are Forced to Relocate

5 Potential Destinations If A's Leave Oakland

It's looking more and more like the Oakland Athletics will need to relocate in the coming years. Co-owner Lew Wolff recently said the team has no interest in sharing a new stadium with the Raiders, which for a number of reasons means it will be difficult for the A's to build a new stadium in the city. If they do decide to make a move, here are the five cities that present the best option for the A's franchise.

5 Potential Destinations If A's Leave Oakland

It's looking more and more like the Oakland Athletics will need to relocate in the coming years. Co-owner Lew Wolff recently said the team has no interest in sharing a new stadium with the Raiders, which for a number of reasons means it will be difficult for the A's to build a new stadium in the city. If they do decide to make a move, here are the five cities that present the best option for the A's franchise.

Montreal, Canada

Montreal lost the Expos in 2004 when the franchise was relocated to Washington D.C. and became the Nationals. Rumors began swirling this past offseason that baseball could soon be returning to Montreal. Baseball never should have left Quebec in the first place, since Montreal has the affluence and reputation to house a successful MLB team year in and year out. While the city is extremely deserving, I don't think it's the A's first choice.

Montreal, Canada

Montreal lost the Expos in 2004 when the franchise was relocated to Washington D.C. and became the Nationals. Rumors began swirling this past offseason that baseball could soon be returning to Montreal. Baseball never should have left Quebec in the first place, since Montreal has the affluence and reputation to house a successful MLB team year in and year out. While the city is extremely deserving, I don't think it's the A's first choice.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Whenever any sports franchise is rumored to relocate, Las Vegas is always near the top of the list of rumored landing spots. Of the 52 U.S. cities with at least one million residents, Las Vegas has the highest male population at 50.3-percent, which is certainly an attractive statistic to teams. With a warm climate, the city has desirable baseball weather, but there might just be too many other things going on for a baseball franchise to put up big attendance numbers.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Whenever any sports franchise is rumored to relocate, Las Vegas is always near the top of the list of rumored landing spots. Of the 52 U.S. cities with at least one million residents, Las Vegas has the highest male population at 50.3-percent, which is certainly an attractive statistic to teams. With a warm climate, the city has desirable baseball weather, but there might just be too many other things going on for a baseball franchise to put up big attendance numbers.

San Jose, California

The A's have been trying to move to San Jose for years, but have been met with stiff opposition from the San Francisco Giants. It remains unlikely a deal will be reached, but there is little doubt that the South Bay's biggest city is the best potential landing spot for the franchise.

San Jose, California

The A's have been trying to move to San Jose for years, but have been met with stiff opposition from the San Francisco Giants. It remains unlikely a deal will be reached, but there is little doubt that the South Bay's biggest city is the best potential landing spot for the franchise.

Portland, Oregon

Portland is truly one of the hidden gems in the entire country. It's a beautiful city with a population over two million and the closest current MLB team is 174 miles away. It's an affluent city that loves sports, and the NBA's Trail Blazers and MLS's Timbers are the only true competition an MLB franchise would need to deal with.

Portland, Oregon

Portland is truly one of the hidden gems in the entire country. It's a beautiful city with a population over two million and the closest current MLB team is 174 miles away. It's an affluent city that loves sports, and the NBA's Trail Blazers and MLS's Timbers are the only true competition an MLB franchise would need to deal with.

Charlotte, North Carolina

With a population of 2.3 million, Charlotte is the third-largest U.S. city without a MLB franchise. The city is home to the Charlotte Knights, the White Sox Triple-A affiliate, who led the International League in attendance in 2014. North and South Carolina both have a rich baseball culture and it's shocking that the area doesn't already have an MLB team.

Charlotte, North Carolina

With a population of 2.3 million, Charlotte is the third-largest U.S. city without a MLB franchise. The city is home to the Charlotte Knights, the White Sox Triple-A affiliate, who led the International League in attendance in 2014. North and South Carolina both have a rich baseball culture and it's shocking that the area doesn't already have an MLB team.