U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon, D-Oakland, is one of the co-sponsors for a new piece of legislation that gives communities an opportunity to keep professional sports teams in their cities before their owners move the franchise to another location.
The bill is called the Home Team Act, and it requires owners of sports teams to give a year’s notice before moving the team, allowing local companies, individuals, government entities, or nonprofits to retain the team in their city by purchasing it for a fair price.
A community ownership model — like the NFL’s Green Bay Packers — would also be a viable option to keep the team in the city, according to this act.
The bill includes a provision for a team of appraisers to ascertain if an offer is made at a fair price. If a fair price offer is not received during the stipulated one-year notice period, the owners can relocate the franchise to another city.
U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, introduced the legislation in the U.S. Senate.
In the last seven years, three pro sports teams have moved from Oakland to other cities. The Golden State Warriors moved to San Francisco in 2019, the Raiders moved to Las Vegas in 2020, and the Athletics moved to West Sacramento in 2025, pending their eventual relocation to Las Vegas.
“For decades, Oakland residents lovingly and passionately cheered on the Athletics, Raiders, and Warriors — win or lose,” said Simon in a news release issued this week.
“Sports are in the blood of our city and are a key part of our cultural identity, which is why I’m proud to support the Home Team Act to ensure that community-owned sports teams cannot be relocated without community input and the opportunity to keep their home team local,” she added.