The Oakland Athletics may not be in the Bay Area much longer.
According to a story first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the A’s have received permission from Major League Baseball to begin exploring the possibility of relocating to another city in an effort that could pressure local government officials to approve a new stadium project that has been in limbo for several years.
"We're still working to try to make our waterfront ballpark happen and we have an offer in front of the (Oakland City Council) to do that, but since it's been taking so long and we're really running out of time in our current location, we need to start looking at other options for viable locations," A's President Dave Kaval told KCBS Radio's Kathy Novak.
Other potential cities, according to Passan, include Portland, Vancouver, Nashville, Charlotte and Montreal.
The franchise has spent years trying to build a waterfront stadium at the Howard Terminal in downtown Oakland, which the A’s have proposed privately funding for $1 billion and spending more on a development which would include 3,000 units of affordable housing, office, retail space and a hotel.
Not only are the A's privately financing the $1 billion stadium itself, but the team also plans to pay for all the infrastructure, which means elevating roadways, cleaning up any hazardous materials and getting the industrial area ready for heavy visitor use.
Some have suggested rebuilding at the site of the current stadium, but MLB has said in a statement that "is not a viable option for the future vision of baseball."
"MLB is concerned with the rate of progress on the A’s new ballpark effort with local officials and other stakeholders in Oakland," the league said. "The A’s have worked very hard to advance a new ballpark in downtown Oakland for the last four years, investing significant resources while facing multiple roadblocks. We know they remain deeply committed to succeeding in Oakland, and with two other sports franchises recently leaving the community, their commitment to Oakland is now more important than ever.
"The Oakland Coliseum site is not a viable option for the future vision of baseball. We have instructed the Athletics to begin to explore other markets while they continue to pursue a waterfront ballpark in Oakland. The Athletics need a new ballpark to remain competitive, so it is now in our best interest to also consider other markets."
"We're still very committed to trying to find a way to make it work at the waterfront, but I think it's important for people to know...that rebuilding at the Coliseum is not an option," Kaval added, explaining the team needs to be "realistic about the timing, the challenges and the roadblocks" to getting a new stadium approved and built.
A spokesperson for Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf’s office said on Tuesday: "We share MLB’s sense of urgency and their continued preference for Oakland. Today’s statement makes clear that the only viable path to keeping the A’s rooted in Oakland is a ballpark on the waterfront. We have made great strides with the Governor’s certification and release of the EIR. Now, with the recent start of financial discussions with the A’s, we call on our entire community – regional and local partners included — to rally together and support a new, financially viable, fiscally responsible, world class waterfront neighborhood that enhances our city and region, and keeps the A’s in Oakland where they belong."
The current lease on the Athletics’ RingCentral Coliseum expires after 2024.
The A’s have been in Oakland since 1968 and are the only team remaining in the city following the departures of the Raiders to Las Vegas and Warriors to San Francisco.
It is possible the A’s could follow the Raiders to Las Vegas.
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