OAKLAND – Carlos Soria and his friends that provide the steady drumbeat that serves as a backdrop to A’s home games were at their usual location Tuesday — in Section 149 in the right-field bleachers on an ideal afternoon for baseball at the Coliseum.
Soria was also aware of what took place elsewhere in Oakland — with the city council approving preliminary terms for a new $12 billion waterfront ballpark project, and A’s executive Dave Kaval saying the new deal doesn’t work for the team.
“Each side has its merits,” Soria said. “City council, they’re looking after their constituents. The A’s guys, they’re looking out for the team. There is a happy middle somewhere. There has to be.”
Other fans who attended Tuesday’s game — knowing how long the A’s and the city have haggled over a new ballpark – were less optimistic that something could get done.
City council voted 6-1 in favor of the proposal that requires the development to include affordable housing, environmental measures and other features. But it’s unclear if the A’s – led by Kaval and owner John Fisher – want to continue to negotiate with the city or turn their full attention toward relocation.
“They seem to be so far apart that there doesn’t seem like there’s much middle ground,” said Steve Rodgers, 63, of Campbell. “I’m not an Oakland resident, but you definitely want to see the city break even if nothing else. I want it to be a win-win situation.”
Theresa Fernandez, 58, of San Ramon said she would love to see Oakland build a new waterfront park in the Jack London Square area.
“I think it would be great for the city,” she said. “Look with the Giants’ stadium did for San Francisco. That area, you didn’t even want to go there. It was not a good neighborhood but look at it now. It’s amazing.”
East Bay sports fans – still scarred from having seen two other professional sports franchises leave for what they felt were greener pastures — fear they might be seeing a third.
The Raiders vacated Oakland after the 2019 season, leaving behind millions in debt on the botched deal that brought the team back from Oakland in 1995. They’re now in their sparkling new digs, Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas.
The Warriors relocated to gleaming Chase Center in San Francisco, leaving behind what may have been the loudest arena in the NBA in Oracle Arena.
“With the Warriors leaving, and then you had the Raiders, Oakland is kind of just left — I don’t want to say to die — but the stadium is getting so old,” said Tyler Berggren, 17, of Concord. “As much as I love (the Coliseum), I just feel like a new stadium in Oakland — the proposed one — would be the best option.”
Kaval has been to Las Vegas multiple times in recent months to meet with local government officials and other local influential figures. He’s been plenty visible and willing to speak with local reporters, no doubt projecting that the team has a legitimate option for relocation.
“I think that’s a negotiating ploy,” said Max Pringle, 52, of Vallejo, of Kaval’s visibility in Las Vegas. Pringle added that he thinks the A’s have done their share to get a new stadium and that he hopes the city can bridge the remaining gap.
The A’s project includes a $1 billion privately financed 35,000-seat waterfront ballpark, 3,000 residential units, office, and retail space, hotel rooms, and an indoor performance center.
The team’s lease at the Coliseum runs through 2024, and Kaval and Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred does not consider building another stadium at the current site a viable option.
Still, Soria said Tuesday’s vote was, “a step forward” for the city and A’s fans.
“Kaval’s response was a bit lukewarm for us fans, saying that it was unacceptable,” Soria said. “It’s kind of like, ‘come on, throw us a bone. We’re hanging on to the team we love.’”
