The A's are already looking to play some games away from Las Vegas

The Oakland A's have a challenge ahead of them when, or if, they go ahead with their planned relocation to Las Vegas in a few years, yet they may already have found a way to make that task even more difficult.

According to The Nevada Independent, the paperwork the team has filed in its non-relocation agreement includes a request to play eight games in locations other than Las Vegas. 

That's double the amount of neutral site home games permitted by similar contracts for most MLB games, which generally are to allow for occasional international play like the upcoming London Series between the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies.

Why would the A's want to play home games anywhere but their yet-to-be-constructed new home on the Las Vegas Strip? Here's what the Independent reports:

A’s president David Kaval said the idea of holding eight games outside of Las Vegas was a way to build the team’s brand, promote the club and attract players and sponsors.

That would make some sense if the A's weren't already facing a potential battle to establish a loyal fan base in Las Vegas itself. Pro sports in Sin City aren't a novelty any more, with the NHL's Vegas Golden Knights, WNBA's Las Vegas Aces and NFL's Las Vegas Raiders already in town.

Surveys from 2023 suggest that Vegas residents approve of the A's moving to the city, but it's fair to wonder if that sentiment will prevail as the team burns through any remaining goodwill left in Oakland. 

The team will also play in Sacramento for several seasons while its proposed Las Vegas stadium is built, meaning it has to somehow keep local fans engaged while they wait.

The best way to do that wouldn't seem to be asking to play 10% of home games in other markets, and since there's a chance this request will lower the amount of public financing the team gets to build its new ballpark, perhaps the franchise will reconsider this unusual maneuver.

Or, like several other aspects of this somewhat ham-handed relocation, maybe it will become a sticking point that will complicate matters even further.