As the Oakland Athletics’ stadium issue continues to get kicked down the road, the small-market team is preparing for another season in the rundown Oakland Coliseum.
Not a single person close to the A’s or the city of Oakland believes that this is a long-term solution to what has been a divisive issue between elected officials and the organization.
The good news here is that things seem to be taking on more of a positive turn. Despite a stadium plan falling through recently, the A’s and the city of Oakland have reportedly agreed to exclusive talks over a new ballpark development.
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As it relates to the Howard Terminal location, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred threw his support behind that possibility back in February.
“The proximity to downtown in general is a positive. I think anytime you have the opportunity to build a ballpark proximate to the water, it can be a big positive,” Manfred said, via The Mercury News.
Oakland Coliseum remains the only venue that hosts both a MLB and NFL team. Though, that’s going to change with the Raiders moving to Las Vegas in 2020.
With the Golden State Warriors also set to move to San Francisco here soon, that will leave the A’s as Oakland’s only major professional sports team moving forward. Hence, why the city is turning its attention to getting the A’s a new stadium.
Talk of relocation has died down some in recent years. That doesn’t mean the A’s ownership group is willing to continue playing at the Oakland Coliseum over the long term. Simply put, it is the worst venue in professional sports.
At the very least, it now looks like the A’s and Oakland are moving forward with substantive talks. That can’t be seen as a bad thing.