Rob Manfred 'concerned' about pace of Athletics stadium decision
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred says the Oakland Athletics shouldn’t wait on their stadium counterparts, the Raiders, if they want to resolve their issues with getting a new facility built in the city, but is concerned about situation is not moving fast enough.
Manfred has said that getting the A’s a new stadium is a top priority. The A’s have played at O.co Coliseum since 1968 and last July signed a 10-year lease with the city of Oakland.
That lease agreement was contingent on the team fixing the multiple issues with that stadium, including a plumbing problem.
If the Athletics move before the lease expires, they will still have make payments on the lease.
“The Raiders have to make their own set of decisions. The A’s and baseball have to make their own decisions,” Manfred said to the San Francisco Chronicle. “I really see them in separate terms.”
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While the Athletics don’t have many options in terms of moving within the city or relocating, the Raiders have discussed the possibility of moving out of town.
The Raiders signed one-year extension of their stadium lease at O.co Coliseum in December, meaning they can leave town after the 2015 season.
In April, the Carson, California City Council unanimously approved a plan for a $1.7 billion NFL stadium to be shared by the San Diego Chargers and Raiders. The Raiders will continue seek financing to build a stadium in the city and have yet to submit relocation paperwork to initiate a vote by the NFL’s 32 owners.
“I think Oakland is active in terms of constantly exploring what their options are with the principal focus on Oakland,” Manfred said, “I speak to Lew (Wolff, managing general partner) probably more than any other individual owner because I am very concerned about the situation in Oakland and I’m concerned about the pace at which this is moving forward.”
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