As the Athletics prepare for an uncertain future in Sacramento and an even less certain future in Las Vegas, one of its top leaders is leaving. The A’s announced Friday that team president, Dave Kaval, is leaving the organization to pursue other opportunities.
Kaval, 49, has held this position for eight years. His last day with the A’s will be December 31.
“We are grateful for Dave’s contributions and leadership over the past eight years. He has guided our organization through a significant period of transition, and we sincerely thank him for his unwavering commitment to the team,” said the team owner, John Fisher, in a statement released by the club. “As we look to the next chapter of our franchise, the team will continue to grow under new leadership, leading the organization to success during our interim years in West Sacramento and in our new home in Las Vegas.”
“I will remain in California to explore new opportunities at the intersection of business and government,” Kaval said in the same statement. “I am grateful to the A’s owners for the opportunities they have given me.”
Kaval will be replaced on an interim basis by Sandy Dean, who is currently part of A’s ownership group.
Kaval was often the public face of the A’s still-in-limbo efforts to relocate from Oakland, where the franchise had been located since 1968. As a result, he was often the subject of the ire of fans and observers – a situation exacerbated by Fisher’s reluctance to appear in public or answer questions from the media.
The A’s will play at least the next three seasons at a minor league ballpark in Sacramento while awaiting clarity on their plan to move to Las Vegas. This proposed move will depend on Fisher’s ability to secure private financing for the majority of the costs associated with building a new ballpark in Las Vegas. Given the financially dubious nature of abandoning a shared location in the Bay Area for another in what would be MLBThe nation’s smallest media market, securing private financing continues to be a challenge for Fisher. As such, nothing should be assumed about the long-term future of the A.
