Two California representatives have initiated the "Moneyball Act," legislation aimed directly at Oakland Athletics owner John Fisher's plan to move the team to Las Vegas. Following the Nevada Senate's approval of $380 million in public funding for a new stadium in Las Vegas, Representatives Barbara Lee and Mark DeSaulnier introduced this bill to ensure compensation for the state and local authorities impacted by the team's departure.

The Moneyball Act stipulates that owners of professional baseball clubs relocating must compensate the abandoned communities. Failure to comply would subject Major League Baseball to antitrust laws, from which they have been exempt for over a century. Rep. Lee emphasized the A's long-standing presence in Oakland, spanning over five decades, and the significant cultural and economic impact the team has on the region. She urged MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to reconsider facilitating the A's move, highlighting the contradiction between supporting relocation and the rationale behind MLB's antitrust exemption.

The representatives aim to prevent communities from being disregarded when team owners prioritize personal financial gain. Rep. DeSaulnier expressed his commitment to protecting communities nationwide from the potential negative consequences of corporate greed in the sports world. Despite A's fans demonstrating their support through a "reverse boycott" and the team's recent winning streak, Fisher, known for maintaining the league's lowest payroll, appears determined to proceed with the Las Vegas relocation. The Nevada Assembly's vote on the $380 million funding and Governor Lombardo's anticipated approval are the remaining steps in the process. The Athletics have been based in Oakland since 1968, having previously been located in Philadelphia and Kansas City.