MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has not been quiet about his belief that the small-market Oakland Athletics need a new stadium.
Currently considered one of the most rundown venues in the professional sports world, there’s been widespread talk of the A’s moving from that stadium in Northern California to Las Vegas. This came up recently with the A’s owner actually meeting with authorities in Southern Nevada to discuss potential venues in Sin City.
Speaking at the Cactus League Media Day ahead of Spring Training opening, Manfred discussed this topic during a Q&A with media. He broke some news in indicating that A’s owner John Fischer is focusing on Vegas as a potential relocation option.
“I think Mr. Fisher wants to make the best deal to secure the future of the A’s, whether it’s in Oakland or in Las Vegas. They need a new stadium. I think that’s kind of beyond debate.”
Manfred on the Oakland Athletics and Las Vegas, via the Associated Press
Manfred has been consistent in his belief that the A’s current venue, RingCentral Coliseum, is not sustainable moving forward.
At issue here is a longtime split between the A’s brass and government officials about a Howard Terminal project in Oakland. Said proposal failed due to a combination of finances and concerns about affordable housing in the area.
“The condition of the Coliseum is a really serious problem for us. It is not a major-league quality facility at this point,” Rob Manfred said back in October.
The Commissioner also noted that he doesn’t think A’s officials and the city of Oakland are going to come to an agreement on a new state-of-the-art venue.
What does this all mean? Well, it seems pretty darn simple. Short of the extraordinary happening in Northern California, the Oakland Athletics will likely join their former co-tenants in that of the NFL’s Raiders in Las Vegas. It now just seems to be a matter of time.
Related: Oakland Athletics inch closer to Las Vegas following comments from MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred
“The threshold issue right now I think in Oakland is how to handle the funding for the infrastructure, “Manfred said.
The same could be said about Las Vegas to an extent. New Governor Joe Lombardo (R) indicated recently that he’s not willing to raise taxes to help with funding for a new venue in Vegas.
Though, he did note that the A’s could be eligible for funding under the state’s economic development programs. This could lead to a deal being struck on a new stadium in Southern Nevada, ultimately leading to the A’s relocation from California.