Why are the A's touring other potential cities? Can they get a stadium built in Oakland? We get you up to speed on their relocation drama.
theathletic.com
Would MLB charge a relocation fee?
The commissioner’s office hasn’t said, but it’s very possible. Baseball’s expansion fee could be as much as
$2.2 billion if it’s indexed against franchise values — but MLB has no expansion plans. Other leagues have levied relocation fees in recent years: When the Raiders departed Oakland for Las Vegas, the NFL charged the team $378 million, which was distributed to the other teams. The Rams and Chargers were each charged $645 million to move to Los Angeles. The fees are typically paid over several years. MLB didn’t charge a fee for the Expos to move from Montreal to Washington, D.C., because the team was league-owned at that point.
Will the Athletics get the necessary local approvals for the ballpark plan?
We’ll find out on July 20 when the Oakland City Council votes on the stadium proposal. The Oakland mayor’s office has expressed concern about the $855 million public subsidy when it was proposed: “The City is willing to bring to bear its resources to help make this vision a reality; however, today’s proposal from the A’s appears to request public investment at the high end for projects of this type nationwide,” it said in a statement. Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf herself has been
quoted as saying, “Hell no, we won’t let them go.” And also: “We’re working on bringing them a financial plan that we believe they can support. We are looking to do that before the end of July.”
Oakland City Council president Nikki Fortunato Bas and others
sent a letter to MLB asking for relocation talks to stop while the city considers the ballpark proposal: “The Oakland City Council is committed to negotiating in good faith for a strong future for the A’s in Oakland, and we invite the A’s and MLB to do the same by agreeing not to seek relocation while the A’s complete the project process as the Council moves forward.”
Can a move be stopped?
Yes. Oakland could give the A’s what they want. MLB could set a relocation fee that’s too rich for John Fisher’s tastes. Lawsuits would be likely. The deals offered by other markets could be underwhelming. Fisher could sell the team. A comet could strike the Earth. But most likely, the politicians give Fisher what he wants.
www.chicagotribune.com
Either reseed or make divisional games Bo7. More playoffs, the better. Makes no sense that the 2 best teams are playing a short series.
