Federal bill seeks to keep sports franchises in their cities

The 'Home Team Act' would require team owners to give a year's notice before moving, allowing local groups to purchase the team at a fair price.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:24pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting an abstract, fragmented view of a professional sports stadium or arena, with sharp planes of green and gold colors representing the Oakland Athletics' team colors.A new federal bill aims to give local communities a chance to keep their beloved sports franchises from relocating.Oakland Today

U.S. Rep. Lateefah Simon (D-Oakland) is one of the co-sponsors for a new piece of federal legislation called the 'Home Team Act' that would give communities an opportunity to keep professional sports teams in their cities before their owners move the franchise to another location. The bill requires owners to give a year's notice before moving a 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 would also be a viable option to keep the team in the city.

Why it matters

In the last seven years, three pro sports teams have moved from Oakland to other cities, including the Golden State Warriors, the Raiders, and the Athletics. The 'Home Team Act' aims to prevent similar franchise relocations by giving local communities a chance to keep their teams.

The details

The 'Home Team Act' 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 players

Lateefah Simon

A U.S. Representative from Oakland, California, and one of the co-sponsors of the 'Home Team Act'.

Bernie Sanders

A U.S. Senator from Vermont who introduced the 'Home Team Act' legislation in the Senate.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'For decades, Oakland residents lovingly and passionately cheered on the Athletics, Raiders, and Warriors – win or lose. 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.'”

— Lateefah Simon, U.S. Representative

What’s next

The 'Home Team Act' has been introduced in Congress and will now go through the legislative process.

The takeaway

The 'Home Team Act' aims to prevent professional sports franchises from relocating by giving local communities a chance to purchase the team at a fair price before the owner can move it to another city. This legislation is a response to the recent departures of several high-profile teams from Oakland.