> At a Glance
> – U.S. Patent Office refused the A’s bid to trademark Las Vegas Athletics and Vegas Athletics
> – Team has three months from the Dec. 29 refusal to file a new application
> – $2 billion, 33,000-seat stadium on the Las Vegas Strip is under construction for a 2028 opening
> – Why it matters: Trademark snag could delay the franchise’s full rebrand as it prepares to leave Oakland
The Athletics’ road to Las Vegas just hit a bureaucratic speed bump. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rejected the club’s attempt to lock down its future Vegas-centric names, citing the generic nature of the word Athletics.
Trademark Troubles
The refusal, issued Dec. 29, argues Athletics is too broad and risks confusion with unrelated activities-even when paired with Las Vegas. The A’s now have a three-month window to request an extension and resubmit within six months.
- Denial mirrors the NHL’s Utah club losing Yetis to cooler-maker Yeti on Jan. 9
- Athletics has been the franchise’s nickname since the Philadelphia Athletics debuted in 1901
- Name survived moves to Kansas City (1955) and Oakland (1968)
Stadium & Spending
Construction on the $2 billion retractable-roof ballpark remains on track for Opening Day 2028. Nevada and Clark County have committed up to $380 million in public funds; the A’s pledge to cover the rest while owner John Fisher courts outside investors.
| Commitment | Amount |
|---|---|
| Public funds (NV/Clark Co.) | Up to $380 million |
| Team contribution | Balance of $2 billion total |
On the field, the club is spending big ahead of the move:
- Tyler Soderstrom: $86 million, seven-year deal (Dec. 30)
- Brent Rooker: $60 million, five-year pact (last offseason)
- Lawrence Butler: $65.5 million, seven-year deal (last offseason)
- Jeff McNeil: acquired from Mets (Dec. 22)
- Mark Kotsay: managerial extension through 2028, club option 2029
Key Takeaways
- Trademark denial won’t stop the move but complicates marketing
- Stadium timeline unchanged-opening slated for 2028 season
- Franchise is finalizing roster commitments despite off-field uncertainty
The A’s will play the next three seasons in West Sacramento’s Triple-A park before the hoped-for Vegas debut, giving them time to resolve the branding hurdle.
