Oakland Mayor Presents MLB Commissioner with Evidence of City’s Proposal for New Baseball Stadium
SEATTLE – Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao met with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred on Sunday to present documented evidence of the city’s plan to build a new ballpark for the Oakland Athletics. Thao provided Manfred with 31 packages, detailing the city’s efforts to construct a waterfront stadium at Howard Terminal. This meeting marked the first time the two officials had met in person, as their prior communication had been through the media.
In June, Manfred declared that there was no proposal from Oakland regarding a stadium at any site. Thao quickly refuted this claim, calling it “totally false.” In her meeting with Manfred, she sought to dispel any misinformation and ensure that all parties involved were informed of the city’s progress. Thao believed Manfred was receptive to the presentation and stated that he would forward the materials to the league’s relocation committee.
While the A’s planned relocation to Las Vegas is nearing its final stages, it continues to face opposition from various political forces. Thao remains committed to keeping the team in Oakland and expressed her willingness to reopen negotiations for a new ballpark. She emphasized the importance of transparency in providing information to Manfred and the owners.
The city’s documentation included a summary of transactional documents, design guidelines for Howard Terminal, and a preliminary development plan. The proposed $12 billion development project at Howard Terminal would feature a new ballpark, while the team’s move to Las Vegas would result in a $1.5 billion retractable-roof stadium. Thao argued that Oakland had a concrete proposal on the table and was on the verge of finalizing a deal with the A’s current ownership.
Manfred acknowledged that Thao joined the process relatively late but appreciated her efforts to find a solution. The A’s were required to reach a binding agreement for a stadium by January 15, 2024, under the baseball collective bargaining agreement. Failure to do so would result in the loss of revenue sharing funds for that year. Manfred viewed this potential loss as a significant economic setback for the team.
Thao indicated that Oakland had secured over $425 million in funding for offsite infrastructure costs, exceeding the amount requested by the A’s. Furthermore, the city would reimburse approximately $500 million of the onsite infrastructure and development expenses through the creation of an infrastructure financing district.
The A’s announced plans to purchase land in Las Vegas for a future ballpark site shortly after the city presented its proposal. Thao expressed her initial disappointment with the team’s decision but maintained that until construction begins in Las Vegas, Oakland still has an opportunity to retain the A’s. She confirmed that the city would be open to making an upgraded proposal if the A’s or new ownership were willing to engage in genuine partnership discussions.
Manfred has consistently stated that MLB intends to expand from 30 to 32 teams but only after resolving the stadium situations for the Athletics and the Tampa Bay Rays. The A’s have yet to complete the formal application process for relocation. Uncertainties remain regarding where the team would play between 2025 and 2027, as their lease at the Oakland Coliseum expires before their projected Las Vegas ballpark is completed.
If the A’s successfully relocate to Las Vegas, Oakland would become an immediate prospect for an expansion club. Thao expressed openness to that possibility but believed Las Vegas would be better suited for an expansion team due to its smaller television market. She also emphasized Oakland’s advantageous diversity and excellent weather as factors that could benefit MLB in expanding its fan base.
Although the meeting with Manfred did not guarantee that the A’s would remain in Oakland, Thao remains determined to keep the team in the city. She emphasized that the window for negotiations should remain open and contended that relocating to Nevada would not help MLB in diversifying its fan base.
The discussion between Thao and Manfred reflects the ongoing efforts and discussions surrounding the future of the Oakland Athletics.