AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn
The Oakland Athletics’ fanbase’s fierce loyalty has been stretched to its limit and then broken as the team continues its plans to move the franchise to Las Vegas.
News Tuesday that the Nevada Senate approved public funding up to $380 million for a new Athletics stadium in Vegas coincided with the team’s fans pulling off a “reverse boycott” for the team’s home game against the Tampa Bay Rays.
A horde of fans showed up for an event that included live music, food, games and “Sell” shirts imploring owner John Fisher to sell the team.
Gabriel Hernandez @gamer_athletics
Where to get your “Sell” shirt?#OAKtogether #SellTheTeam #FisherOut #WeAreHere pic.twitter.com/L9RjQ7pydF
Gabriel Hernandez @gamer_athletics
GAMES
Have some fun with the @LastDiveBar where they will have cornhole with A’s President and Owner on the board giving you a chance to make them eat their own 💩.
You can also pick up a cheer card which tells you what chants we are going to be saying throughout the game.… pic.twitter.com/jnSpg9aHdH
Plans are also in the works for chants and even a moment of silence during the game.
Talkin’ Baseball @TalkinBaseball_
A’s fans have a game plan for tonight pic.twitter.com/PRiOezc9Ay
An incredible scene developed in Oakland as fans gathered before the game to support the team staying in town.
Gabriel Hernandez @gamer_athletics
STAY IN OAKLAND #ReverseBoycott #StadiumScam #FisherOut #WeAreHere #OAKtogether pic.twitter.com/hmAE8Fbg7W
Jonathan Bloom @BloomTV
The Kelly green #SellTheTeam T-shirts are out in force here in the south parking lot of the Coliseum, as the #OAKtogether “reverse boycott” of the Oakland @Athletics gets underway. pic.twitter.com/RVWkccQZp3
Dan Moore @DmoWriter
This is how you reverse boycott.
Never seen anything like this #Athletics #SellTheTeam pic.twitter.com/h5tp5FVnzm
Twitter recognized the reverse boycott and offered its admiration and support for the movement.
Jamie North @jamienorth31
I’m rooting for #Athletics fans tonight #OaklandForever #reverseboycott #OAKtogether #RootedInOakland #FisherOut
some sharks fan @laniccal
I applaud the A’s fans at the #ReverseBoycott
Fisher is scum. Get him out, and show him why we need these A’s.
¯_(ツ)_/¯ @DilsJones24
As a fan of a city that has now lost two different teams (Stars, Rampage) to Vegas, I really am rooting hard for the A’s and their fans. The reverse boycott is awesome, what that owner has done to that franchise is disgraceful, Oakland fans are great and deserve way better https://t.co/jj5J6yQJkM
BaseballBallparkBoi @ballparkboi
Damn, so happy seein the turnout for the #ReverseBoycott sad that I couldn’t make it but imma be following every step of the way from CO #SellTheTeam #OAKLAND #FisherOut #OAKtogether
Jordan Brunel @thatoaklandkid
Participating in the #reverseboycott from 35,000 ft. Wish I was heading to Oakland….. #sell #FisherOut pic.twitter.com/eCIbPnicpr
Marty Caswell @MartyCaswell
“It’s the grandest display of intentional sabotage you can imagine.”@DamonBruce discussed how A’s owner John Fisher has decimated his fan base w/ @DSmithShow & motivation between tonight’s reverse boycott by A’s fans https://t.co/ph1G45OgPZ
Matt @nosoupforgeorge
It’s true.#OAKtogether #ReverseBoycott #FisherOut #Sell #SellTheTeam pic.twitter.com/HgeAVPR043
Erik Stenholm @ErikStenholm
#OaklandForever#Athletics#OAKtogether#ReverseBoycott#Sell#SellTheTeam#FisherOut pic.twitter.com/PdmRwsf6mJ
mark @og_marco3
A reverse boycott is awesome lol https://t.co/mwJsFJtjVA
The Oakland Athletics have a league-worst 18-50 record with an MLB-low payroll, but the team has won six straight games leading into Tuesday.
