Despite a few relocations over the past century or so, the “Athletics” nickname has stood as one of the oldest in professional sports.
The origin of the team name dates to the 1860s, when it was adopted by the Athletic Club of Philadelphia’s amateur baseball team. That squad turned professional in 1875 and carried over the name as the Philadelphia Athletics. Led by owner/manager Connie Mack, the Philadelphia Athletics baseball club was founded as part of the new American Baseball League in 1901.
Though the franchise moved to Kansas City, where it played from 1955-67, then Oakland, where it called home from 1968-2024, and now West Sacramento before a planned relocation to Las Vegas for the start of the 2028 season, the nickname remains, though the club is now often referred to as the “A’s” for short.