You thought the Oakland A’s saga was over? Well no.
During a meeting at a Seattle hotel last Sunday, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao reportedly gave MLB commissioner Rob Manfred documented evidence of his city’s plan to build a new ballpark for the Athletics.
It was the first time that the two protagonists had met in person. Previously, they only conversed through the media.
Although the team’s move to Las Vagas still faces political opposition, league approval may be the last major step before the project is realized.
It is for this reason that Thao fights until the end.
For me, it was very important that Manfred, the league relocation committee and the owners have a copy of everything we present. Thanks to the press, we learned that Manfred had declared that there was no proposal from the city. We wanted to dispel this misconception.
The commissioner seemed receptive to the process initiated by the mayor, although it may be too little too late in his mind.
We had a good meeting, a very open exchange of views. I understand that she came into the process a bit late and is doing her best to determine if there is anything that can be done in a process that was in many ways sort of over.
When asked if Manfred gave her the impression that the A’s move to Las Vegas was already settled, Thao declined to speculate what the commissioner was thinking, speaking only for herself.
I don’t believe in completely closed windows. What I believe is that it is an option. And I’m going to keep pushing for that window to be opened if they think it’s closed.
The collective agreement states that the A’s must reach a binding agreement for a stadium by January 15, 2024, or they will lose the money they would receive from revenue sharing for that year.
This would then be the final nail in the coffin.
