Athletics Chairman Dave Kaval to resign after team's unpopular move to Las Vegas

Athletics Chairman Dave Kaval is resigning after becoming the public face of the team's move from Oakland to Las Vegas.

Kaval, 49, is the seventh president of the A's in its 123-year history and has held the position for the past eight years.

“We are grateful for Dave's contributions and leadership over the past eight years,” A's owner John Fisher said in a statement. “He guided our organization through a critical period of transition. His unwavering dedication to our team. I am truly grateful.”

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“For the next chapter of our franchise, the team will continue to grow under new leadership and propel the organization toward success during our interim period in West Sacramento and our new location in Las Vegas.”

Kaval will step down from his position on December 31 to pursue new business opportunities in California. Sandy Dean will serve as interim president, with a search to become permanent in 2025.

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Oakland Athletics President Dave Kaval before the Athletics vs. New York Mets baseball game on Sunday, April 16, 2023 in Oakland, California. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

Dean is a long-time business partner of the Fisher family.

Kaval's resignation comes after the team cleared the last major hurdle of building a stadium in Las Vegas, despite overwhelming opposition from the fan base.

In early December, the Las Vegas Stadium Authority approved lease, non-transfer and development documents for the Athletics to build a $1.75 billion stadium on the Strip.

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Oakland Athletics President Dave Kaval sits in the dugout before a game against the New York Mets at RingCentral Coliseum. (Darren Yamashita-USA Today Sports)

A groundbreaking ceremony will likely take place in the spring, and Las Vegas' new stadium will be ready for the start of the 2028 season.

The Kaval unsuccessfully tried to build a stadium in downtown Oakland. He then reached a deal that moved the franchise out of town, ending his 57-year association with the team.

The Athletics will play at a minor league ballpark in West Sacramento, Calif., for at least the next three seasons.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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