Rob Manfred, Major League Baseball commissioner, stated that the Oakland Athletics It is important to quickly reach a binding deal for a new stadium.
In the meantime, Tampa Bay RaysManfred indicated that the Tampa bay side would be the best location for the stadium, but it won’t determine the final decision.
The Coliseum has been home to the A’s since 1968. After the 2024 season, their lease will expire.
Manfred said that he was at the Coliseum recently to the Baseball Writers Association of America. “The Coliseum condition is a serious problem for us. This is not news. It is not a quality facility that would be considered a major league one at the moment.
Libby Schaaf (Oakland Mayor) is pushing for Howard Terminal’s approval for a waterfront baseball park that would run more than $1Billion. Last month, the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission approved a reclassification of a 56-acre terminal at Port of Oakland into a mixed-use area that could allow for the construction of a new ballpark.
John Fisher, the controlling owner, has also explored a potential new Las Vegas baseball park.
A vote by the Oakland City Council on a new ballpark could be held later in the year.
Manfred stated that Mayor Schaaf is still working hard to reach an agreement, a deal to develop the Howard Terminal site. “I believe that it can still happen. This is what I said recently, and I will repeat it again: It needs to happen right now. It has to happen.”
Manfred stated, “Mr. Fisher needs to decide if he wants to make an arrangement or can make one that is approved and would keep the Oakland A’s there.” “If this is not possible, we have the process for a relocation application, and I assume that that’s where it goes if no agreement can be reached in Oakland.
The expansion of baseball from 30 to 32 teams has been delayed by the owners until Oakland and Tampa Bay make deals for new stadiums.
Manfred stated, “I must get Oakland and Tampa resolved before I can realistically have an open discussion about expansion.”
The lease for Tampa Bay at Tropicana Stadium in St. Petersburg where the team plays since 1998 expires following the 2027 season. In January, the Rays stated that Major League Baseball had rejected the Rays’ plan to split its season between Florida & Montreal.
Manfred stated that he hadn’t spoken with Rays owner Stuart Sternberg in recent weeks to get an update.
Manfred stated Tuesday, “I’ve always felt that a stadium located on the opposite side of the causeway would make more sense in some ways.” But there are many factors that must be considered when deciding whether you will be in St. Pete, or Tampa. What are the available sites? How fast you can get into the ground? It’s not about the location.
Tampa Bay has attracted 676 296 home viewers this season. Its 13,802 average ranks 28th among all 30 teams. That’s ahead of Miami (11 591) and Oakland (8 637).
This report was compiled by the Associated Press.