Athletics president Dave Kaval will resign from his position at the end of the calendar year, the team announced in a statement on Friday. Sandy Dean, an A’s executive and business partner with owner John Fisher, will take over on an interim basis as the club searches for a full-time replacement.
Kaval was at his post for the past eight years and oversaw the franchise’s quest for a new home. After years of unsuccessful attempts to build a new stadium in Oakland, Kaval and the A’s pivoted to Las Vegas in 2023, and now hope to open a new stadium there in 2028.
“We are grateful for Dave’s contributions and leadership over the past eight years,” Fisher said in a written statement. “He guided our organization through a period of significant transition, and we sincerely thank him for his unwavering commitment to the team.”
As the stadium process unfolded, the relationship between the A’s and the fan base fractured, and Kaval became a focal point of fan criticism both locally and nationally. Over the A’s final years in Oakland, the team’s on-field product diminished, attendance declined and relations with the fan base soured to the point where groups organized “reverse boycotts” in protest.
As various options for new stadiums in Oakland failed to pan out, Kaval and the A’s turned their attention to relocation. It was announced in April 2023 that the A’s had agreed to buy land in Las Vegas, setting the stage for the conclusion of the franchise’s 56-year run in the Bay Area.
Kaval had previously served as president of the San Jose Earthquakes of the MLS, also a Fisher-owned team, beginning in 2010. He said in the release that he will “be staying in California to explore new opportunities at the crossroads of business and government.”
Kaval added that he is “grateful to A’s ownership for the opportunities they have given me.”
Dean suggested that Kaval decided to leave now because many of the significant planning steps needed to move the Athletics to Vegas have been completed, including a land deal to site a stadium on the Las Vegas Strip and the securing of government funding for part of the project.
“I think the decision to step down,” Dean told The Athletic, “was tied to the amount of progress that was made here.”
The A’s, who will play the next three seasons in West Sacramento, will be actively searching for a new president, with hopes of making a hire in 2025. It’s likely the team will hire a search firm to assist in the process, Dean said.
Dean has worked with the team since 2005 and has been actively involved in the process to get the A’s new $1.75 billion Vegas stadium built. He said it’s “an honor” to be asked to step in on an interim basis, and knows it won’t be long-term.
“We are going to start the search in the new year and the search will take as long as it takes,” Dean said. “The most important thing for us will be to get the right candidate for the position.”
(Photo of Kaval: Lachlan Cunningham / Getty Images)
After a tumultuous 8-year tenure, Athletics president Dave Kaval has announced that he will be stepping down from his position. Kaval, who has been at the helm of the organization since 2017, has faced numerous challenges during his time with the team, including stadium issues, player controversies, and financial struggles.
In a statement released today, Kaval expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead the Athletics and thanked the fans for their support. He acknowledged the difficulties that the team has faced and expressed confidence in the future of the organization.
During his time as president, Kaval oversaw the team’s move to a new stadium in Oakland, as well as the signing of several key players. However, his tenure was also marked by controversy, including a public feud with players and ongoing financial struggles.
As the Athletics begin the search for a new president, Kaval’s departure marks the end of an era for the team. Fans will no doubt be eager to see who will step into his shoes and lead the team into the future.
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