MLB Commissioner Says ‘We Can’t Go 5 More Years In The Coliseum’ When Discussing Oakland A’s Stadium
Oct 31, 2022, 8:40 AM | Updated: Nov 11, 2022, 11:55 am
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 04: Livan Soto #13 of the Los Angeles Angels reaches second base as Tony Kemp #5 of the Oakland Athletics is unable to gather the ball in the top of the ninth inning at RingCentral Coliseum on October 04, 2022 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
The Oakland A’s may still be working on securing a new home at Howard Terminal, but the man who runs Major League Baseball isn’t hopeful it’ll get done.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred spoke to ESPN’s Chris “Mad Dog” Russo ahead of Game 2 of the World Series. During their conversation, the topic of the Oakland A’s came up. Since 2018, the A’s have been trying to move out of the RingCentral Coliseum with their sight set on Howard Terminal. But this process has been slow, with one Oakland City Council member recently telling NBC Sports Bay Area that a vote this year is unlikely.
While Manfred had positive things to say about the efforts being made, he wasn’t positive the deal will get done.
I think the mayor in Oakland [Libby Schaaf] has made a huge effort to try to get it done in Oakland. It just doesn’t look like it’s going to happen… I’m not positive about it. I think the A’s have proceeded prudently in terms of exploring the Las Vegas alternative, given the lack of pace in Oakland. I think they have to look for an alternative.
Russo later asked if Oakland leaves, when could that happen? Manfred said “oh yeah,” when Russo asked within five years.
Something has to happen and we can’t go five more years in the Coliseum…Given the lack of certainty, they have to be looking at Las Vegas, they need an alternative because they can’t continue to play in the facility they’re in.
