04/24/24
July 24, 2010
The San Jose Athletics?: On Friday, San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed released the proposed ballot language and details about the measure that would authorize the city and its redevelopment agency to push ahead with a downtown ballpark. Bud Selig and MLB do not approve, stating: "We were surprised and disappointed by the news today in San Jose about the stadium referendum. We were not part of the process and had no knowledge that a decision to proceed with the election had been made."
Provided city voters give the team permission to build on city land, current A's owner Leo Wolff has said he will pay to build the $461 million stadium. "It's that simple." Some of the Oakland fans believe the move has been in the works since 2005 and that Wolff purposely drove the franchise into the ground.
It's the West Coast, of course. Everything that matters happens on the East Coast.
Actually, I didn't comment because I don't understand the issues. Is San Jose far from Oakland? Or is like a suburb? Why does the owner not like Oakland and MLB does like Oakland?
posted by bperk at 02:00 PM on July 26, 2010
San Jose is about an hour and a half from Oakland. It's no more a suburb of Oakland than San Francisco is. It seems Leo Wolff likes San Jose because he feels the mighty dollar is there. And MLB just didn't like that they are not in the loop, I guess.
But, ultimately, I guess you are right, this FPP didn't involve the east coast so that must be it.
posted by BoKnows at 02:10 PM on July 26, 2010
Bo I am shocked after you called me out to see you disparaging this FPP ;)
San Jose is at most an hour from Oakland (even in moderate rush hour traffic) and about same drive to San Francisco.
Big issue here has always been that MLB officially considers San Jose to be in the Giants territory and Giants ownership has vetoed any past proposed A's moves to the South Bay. Wolff in the 1st link said that if baseball rules not to rescind the Giants' territorial rights, "We will, of course, abide by the commissioner's decision.''
Politicos can be weird but there must be something a little deeper going on here. Maybe it's Wolff's age, maybe it's part of his deal to get a site for his MLS Earthquakes, I don't know, but there's something not said publicly behind this decision.
posted by billsaysthis at 02:18 PM on July 26, 2010
Bo I am shocked after you called me out to see you disparaging this FPP ;)
It's what I do best.
posted by BoKnows at 02:30 PM on July 26, 2010
I read the article, but since it didn't involve one of moving an NHL team back to Canada, or Canadian minor league hockey, I didn't feel it necessary for me to post.
posted by tommybiden at 05:54 PM on July 26, 2010
I guess we all have our niche.
posted by BoKnows at 06:14 PM on July 26, 2010
So is this old news, a crappy FPP, or is no one interested?