Rio Struck Out On A’s: Team Rejected $1 Land Offer
The first thing you learn in baseball is when you get up to the plate, you can’t hit a homerun unless you swing the bat. Well, the Rio All Suite…
The first thing you learn in baseball is when you get up to the plate, you can't hit a homerun unless you swing the bat. Well, the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino took a huge swing at landing the site of the future home of the Las Vegas A's. It was a big whiff.
The Nevada Independent is reporting that the struggling off-strip casino's owner attempted to woo the Athletics with a killer deal. 22 acres of land in the sprawling Rio parking lot for less than the cost of a 20 ounce soda: $1.
While this is an almost foolproof method of winning in The Price Is Right, unfortunately it didn't work out too well in this item up for bids.
Why would the A's deny practically free land in Las Vegas?
As we know, the A's decided on taking nearly 50 acres of former Wild Wild West land off of Tropicana and Dean Martin. Scuttlebutt is that they paid Red Rock Resorts as much as $150 million for the land. That's exactly $149,999,999 more than the Rio land.
Like most real estate deals, it all came down to location, location, location. The Rio's plot of land, while a blank slate and ready to go, is not necessarily in the "resort corridor". Fans would have to take a dark tunnel on Frank Sinatra or take a really long hike across Flamingo to visit the site. Meanwhile, the Wild Wild West property is considerably closer to the resorts of the Las Vegas Strip. Not to mention the potential footbridge that would connect "The Park," where T-Mobile Arena is, to the A's site had the team's eyes wide.
It does make you think though... if you've got the money to pass up free land... you've probably got the money to pay for the entire project yourself.
Listen to Aimee+Shawn weekday mornings from 6-10 on 102.7 VGS
Dear Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf: Top 10 Reasons Why Las Vegas Is Better Than Oakland
We understand why Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf may be a little upset.
The city lost two major sports team, and potentially a third one, to the "gross desert" of Las Vegas.
In an interview with ABC7, a local news station in the Bay Area, Schaaf divulged her unfiltered feelings about Vegas, and let's just say that Sin City locals are not too happy about her comments.
“You’ve got to be much more environmentally focused when you are developing on the precious California coastline than in the gross desert of Las Vegas,” Schaaf said to ABC7 regarding the Oakland Athletics' potential relocation to our city (#FreeTheAs).
After this interview, social media ignited with comebacks from Vegas residents, who shared many memes, humorous posts and sassy responses to the mayor's comment.
We also feel the need to defend our city. Vegas is many things, but we definitely won't tolerate slander from California. Here are top ten reasons why Vegas is better than Oakland.
1) TAXES
California state taxes are 12.3% for athletes. Along with that, Oakland has an income tax rate of 9.3%. With 81 home games, each player is taxed at that rate. By just moving to Las Vegas, each player is giving himself a 21.6% pay raise! #FreeTheAs.
2) Oakland Is Still Oakland
Have you seen Oakland besides the "coast?" It reminds us of Kale and Sadness. Not necessarily in that order.
3) Your Sports Teams Prefer The "Gross Desert"
Since the Raiders left Oakland (twice we might add), and the Golden State Warriors also deserted Oak Town; we’re sure that the A’s feel like leftover outcasts of a sporting community gone wrong.
4) Crime Rate
According to Roadsnacks.net, Oakland is the fifth most dangerous city in the U.S., and the most dangerous city in California based on F.B.I. Statistics on Violent Crimes Per Capita.
5) Oakland Feels Like Ohio
Someone from our office, who's from Toledo, Ohio, said he's been to Oakland once. However, he couldn't tell much of a difference between Toledo and Oakland other than the people in Oakland were much angrier.
6) The Best Part Of Oakland? Underwater
Oakland is in the Bay Area. Let’s face facts…the best part of Oakland is underwater. And this could be a legitimate future for the city. According to the New York Times, the Bay Area is sinking and meeting the rising sea level! Researchers suggest that by 2100, a great portion of the region will be submerged, flooded or damaged due to rising sea levels.
[CINEVIV PICTURES] via Getty Images
7) Mayor Goodman > Mayor Schaaf
Our mayor kicks your mayor’s butt! With that being said, as Las Vegans, we are not going to take Schaaf's comments lying down, and neither is Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman. Put politics aside for a minute because Mayor Goodman for sure protected our own here and even threw a whole lot of shade while doing it too!
8) Cost of Living
Yes, the cost of living in Las Vegas has increased. But according to www.bestplaces.net, if you made $134,000 in Oakland, you will only need to make $80,000 in Las Vegas to live comparably. No wonder everyone is deserting Oakland. Why pay $64,000 more a year to live in the 5th most dangerous city in the U.S.?
9) People From Oakland Visit Vegas To Get A Break From Cali
Let’s face it. With all the tourists that come to Vegas from Oakland each year…this is where Oakland comes to be cool. As we all know, no one ever brags about being from Oakland…at least not in this millennium!
10) If you are from Oakland, you might as well move with A’s
According to an article by KQED, a public radio station in the Bay Area, people are fleeing that dilapidated place.
Look at comment #2.. “I’m looking very hard at moving to Nevada!”
Most people recognize that Nevada and Las Vegas are superior in every way!
#NotSoGross: We're Proud To Be From The City Of Sin!
Mayor Schaaf Tried To Come For Vegas But. . .
What You Missed On Aimee+Shawn The Last Couple Weeks
It has been a constant merry-go-round of illness on Aimee+Shawn lately! Shawn had strep throat. Then he had brutal food poisoning. Aimee hasn't been fairing better and she's starting to feel sick too! What is going on? Regardless, there were some good shows in betwixt the illness, and we've created a compilation of the best bits right here!
Aimee was out the day after Easter, and Sammi stepped up to the plate, fresh off the Frontier Airlines flight from hell! Why she promises to never fly them again... except she did the next weekend. So much for that boycott.
Shawn's wife got bit by the neighbor's dog, which gave Sammi PTSD from her past dog biting incident, and it turns out several of our listeners have been on the wrong end of a dog's teeth.
When Aimee did get back from her Cali road trip, she had plenty to report on. Including the road trip itself. Turns out she has "rules of the road trip" with her husband. Essentially, he does the driving, she doesn't get to stop to pee, and everyone is happy.
Before Shawn got strep, his son got it. But if it wasn't for his mother's intuition, they may have never checked for strep at all. Why Shawn turned his car around and went back for the test.
Someone hit Aimee's car in the parking lot, and the conversation that followed was some of the most awe-inspiring stupidity she's ever heard. Why is the talk after a fender bender always so awkward?
What's on Aimee+Shawn this week?!
All this week on the show... BLACKPINK! Ticket to see the KPOP phenoms when they come to Allegiant Stadium on August 18th, plus some ice cream from Bruster's too! We'll also have $1000 Stimmy Check keywords at 5am, 7am and 9am!
Sammi Is NEVER FLYING Frontier Airlines Again
After this latest experience flying the discount airline, Sammi swears she'll never fly Frontier again. (Note: she flew them the following week, because discounts)
Songs That Actors Sing In Movies That "Go Hard"
Jack Black's performance as Bowser in The Super Mario Bros. Movie is outstanding, and his rendition of "Peaches" is unreal. Shawn and Sammi talk about other actors singing in movies that did way better than they should.
BAD DOG Stories (Not ALL Dogs Go To Heaven)
After Shawn's wife was bitten by a dog over the weekend, Sammi was triggered by her dog bite story. Turns out A LOT of our listeners have had their run-ins with terror dogs too.
Gross Things The TikTok Algorithm Brings Us
TikTok says their algorithm tracks what we like to watch. Well... some of us are very broken it turns out.
Call A Spade A Spade... (Also A Spade ISN'T A SHOVEL?!)
Aimee got schooled by her 4 year old on the name of a digging instrument he was using at the beach. Now her world is in a tailspin.
Looking Back On How We Prepped For The Apocalypse
When COVID went down, both Shawn and Aimee's husband were readily spooked and prepared before the rest of society. Rations. Bows and arrows. Guns. Let the hunger games begin!
Rules Of The Road Trip
Aimee is back and fresh off a road trip to Southern California. We all have our "rules of the road trip" we must abide by to stop families from killing each other.
Tupperware Could Go BANKRUPT Soon (And Other Things We've Lost)
It's a brand we've all used constantly... in name. But we end up calling EVERYTHING Tupperware that really isn't. Now it could be going away. We talk about other big brands we've lost along the way.
Never Question A Mother's Intuition
Shawn brought his son to the doctor's office and put the kibosh on a strep test for his son who had a pretty good looking throat. But mom was confident her son had it... so Shawn turned back around and got the test. Guess what...
Some People Have NO Internet Common Sense
From fake news to gift card scams, we all know at least one person susceptible to the wild west of the internet.
Aimee Realizes She's A BAD DOG MOM And Wants To Do Better
Her dog got a taste of the good life, and when Aimee took her dog back... she realized her dog wasn't really pumped about it.
That One Person You Feel You Need To Apologize For
Whether it is a rambunctious husband or a crazy uncle, who's the person in your life you cringe bringing around others?
Crying Kids In The Movie Theater Are THE WORST
A trip to see The Super Mario Bros. Movie with the fam went off without a hitch, except for one kid in the theater...
Kids Aren't As Stupid As You Think They Are
Sure they may be young, but today's kids are way sharper than we give them credit for.
When You Got To Go... And There's No Bathrooms
A relaxing little trip through Mount Charleston with Shawn's dad turned into a race against time to find a place for him to pee.
The Awkward Conversation After A Car Accident
Why is it every time there is a fender bender, the conversation that follows is mind-numbingly stupid?
You Don't Negotiate With Terrorists... Or 4 Year Olds
An absolute meltdown with both of Shawn's sons - while Shawn wasn't there - meant dad had to come down on the pair of terrors.
Adam Sandler Movies Are Making Us Feel Old
Want a barometer to see how old you are? Did you love the old school Adam Sandler movies? Check out when they were released. How old do you feel now?
AI Story Time: Las Vegas' Apology Letter To Oakland For Stealing Another Team
We turn to our AI once again to help us pen a letter to the Bay.
Apple Watch RULES Aimee's Life As She Tries To CLOSE RINGS
Two calories. That's all that stood between Aimee and going to bed with closed rings on her watch. So... she abided.
Do You Remember ANYTHING From Kindergarten?
On this National Kindergarten Day, we go *way back* to see what we remember from our first class.
No, Roman. PLAY DOH Doesn't Go In The Oven
If Roman's quiet... Roman's guilty.
