John Fisher, son of Gap founders Donald and Doris Fisher, is the principal owner of the Athletics. He became majority owner in a 2005 purchase with Lewis Wolff and took full ownership in 2016. Many Oakland fans and columnists blame his ownership for the team leaving; the team and MLB point to Oakland's failed stadium efforts.
Few owners in baseball draw as much criticism as John Fisher, and few relocations have been as emotional as the A's leaving Oakland. This explainer sets out who Fisher is, what his critics say, what he and the team have said, and where things stand as of October 2026. Criticism is attributed to the people who made it.
- Role: principal owner of the Athletics. He also owns the MLS San Jose Earthquakes.
- Family: son of Gap co-founders Donald and Doris Fisher.
- Bought the A's: majority owner in a 2005 purchase with Lewis Wolff; took full ownership when Wolff sold his remaining stake in November 2016.
- Before the A's: held a stake in the San Francisco Giants from 1992, which he sold in 2005.
- Team president: Marc Badain, as of 2026.
Who Owns the Athletics?
John Fisher is the principal owner. He and real estate developer Lewis Wolff closed on their purchase of the team in 2005, with Fisher as the majority investor, and Wolff sold his remaining stake to Fisher in November 2016, according to Forbes. The team has also sold minority stakes: in August 2026 the Associated Press reported an investment group including Mark Cuban had bought an undisclosed stake, and a group including former pitcher Chan Ho Park had committed $70 million. Actor Ken Jeong told the Review-Journal in September 2026 that he had invested too. Fisher remains the controlling owner.
Why Are Oakland Fans Critical of Fisher?
The criticism centers on two things: roster spending and the stadium outcome. In spring 2022, the A's traded several core players, including Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, Chris Bassitt, and Sean Manaea, and the team lost more than 100 games in each of the next two seasons. Critics argued the cuts drove fans away during the relocation fight. Mercury News columnist Michael Clendaniel asked in August 2023 whether Fisher was "the worst owner in MLB history," and KNBR wrote in April 2024 that he had "violated the social contract of sports ownership." Many Oakland fans also believe the Howard Terminal ballpark talks were never going to produce a deal.
What Happened With the Oakland Ballpark?
The A's announced Howard Terminal, a waterfront site near the Port of Oakland, in November 2018. In May 2021, MLB told the team to explore relocation, saying the Coliseum site was "not a viable option for the future vision of baseball." The Oakland City Council approved a non-binding term sheet in July 2021 that differed from the team's proposal, and talks dragged on. In April 2023, the A's agreed to buy land in Las Vegas, and Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao said the city was ending negotiations. Our dated account of why the A's are moving to Las Vegas covers the full sequence.
The "Sell the Team" Movement
Few owners in baseball draw as much criticism as John Fisher, and few relocations have been as emotional as the A's leaving Oakland.
On June 13, 2023, Oakland fans staged a "Reverse Boycott," drawing 27,759 to the Coliseum, many in green "SELL" shirts, ESPN reported. The chants continued through the final Oakland game on September 26, 2024. Fisher has not sold the team; the movement's demand remains unmet as of October 2026.
What Fisher and the Team Say
The team's position has been that it could not secure a viable new ballpark in Oakland and that Las Vegas offered one. MLB owners agreed, approving the move unanimously on November 16, 2023. Spending has also risen since the move: on December 6, 2024 the A's signed pitcher Luis Severino to a $67 million contract that MLB.com called a club record. On the stadium, Fisher told reporters in September 2026, "In February of 2028, we are going to open this facility, and I couldn't be more excited."
The Public Funding Fight in Nevada
Nevada's SB1, signed in June 2023, made up to $380 million in public funding available. Schools Over Stadiums, a group backed by the Nevada State Education Association, tried to put the law to a public vote, but the Nevada Supreme Court blocked the referendum in May 2024, and a separate lawsuit was dismissed in September 2024. As of September 2026, the team had paid for all of the nearly $700 million in work completed so far. Our explainer on who pays and who profits from the A's Vegas deal goes deeper.
Where Things Stand in October 2026
Fisher remains the principal owner, with Marc Badain as team president. The A's finished their second season at their temporary home in West Sacramento at 64-98 and are searching for a new general manager. The Las Vegas ballpark is reported on schedule for 2028. For many Oakland fans the relocation remains a loss that ownership caused; for the team, Las Vegas is the stadium solution Oakland never delivered. Both views are part of the record.
Sources
- SFGATE, A's new era: John Fisher, son of Gap founder (March 31, 2005)
- Forbes, Fisher family buys remaining stake of Oakland Athletics from Wolff (November 18, 2016)
- CNBC (Associated Press), MLB tells Oakland Athletics to explore relocation (May 11, 2021)
- The Mercury News, Oakland Athletics announce Las Vegas land deal (April 19, 2023)
- ESPN, Some 27,759 fans flock to Oakland Coliseum for reverse boycott (June 14, 2023)
- The Mercury News, Clendaniel: Oakland A's John Fisher, the worst owner in MLB history? (August 5, 2023)
- KNBR, Today, John Fisher violated the social contract of sports ownership (April 4, 2024)
- ESPN, MLB owners approve Athletics' planned move to Las Vegas (November 16, 2023)
- Associated Press, Nevada Supreme Court rejects appeal to put A's public funding on the ballot (May 13, 2024)
- Associated Press via the Standard-Examiner, A's stadium takes shape as steel truss arches rise on Las Vegas Strip (August 2026; minority investors)
- Las Vegas Review-Journal, Hangover actor talks investment in Athletics (September 24, 2026)
- Las Vegas Review-Journal, When will the A's tap into public funding for now $2.1B Las Vegas stadium construction? (September 29, 2026)
- talkSPORT, MLB team new stadium takes shape as landmark partnership agreed (September 2026; Fisher quote)
- MLB.com, Emergence of young A's talent provides hope for 2027 as 'tough season' ends (September 28, 2026)
- MLB.com, Severino, A's agree on club-record deal (December 6, 2024)
- Baseball-Reference, Athletics team pages and transactions (2022 to 2024 records and trades)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns the Athletics?
John Fisher is the principal owner. He became majority owner in 2005 and took full ownership in November 2016. Several minority investors have bought stakes since 2025, but Fisher remains the controlling owner as of October 2026.
When did John Fisher buy the A's?
In 2005, when he and Lewis Wolff closed on their joint purchase of the team, with Fisher as the majority investor. Wolff sold his remaining stake to Fisher in November 2016.
Who is John Fisher?
A businessman and son of Gap co-founders Donald and Doris Fisher. Besides the Athletics, he owns the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer. He held a small stake in the San Francisco Giants from 1992 until 2005.
Why do Oakland fans want John Fisher to sell the team?
Critics blame his ownership for low payrolls, trades of popular players in 2022, and the failure to build a new ballpark in Oakland, which led to the move. Fans staged a Reverse Boycott in green SELL shirts on June 13, 2023.
Did John Fisher move the A's to Las Vegas?
The team pursued the move under his ownership, and MLB owners approved it unanimously on November 16, 2023. MLB had told the team in 2021 to explore other markets after Oakland stadium plans stalled.
Is John Fisher selling the A's?
No sale has been announced as of October 2026. The team has sold minority stakes to outside investors, but Fisher remains the controlling owner.
