Athletics rumors: Oakland could seek temporary stadium
If A’s owner Lew Wolff is unable to extend his lease at the Colisuem, his team could look for temporary homes as they decide their future home.
Ezra Shaw
The Oakland Athletics could be moving after this season. The club is looking at "probably a half-dozen sites" to employ as a temporary stadium if they are unable to renew their lease at the Oakland Coliseum.
Tracy Seipel of the San Jose Mercury News reports that San Jose Municipal Stadium — home to the Giants' Single-A affiliate — is one of the locations the A's are considering in their search for an interim stadium.
Oakland also could decide to construct a temporary structure, but owner Lewis Wolff remains hopeful that his team will be able to renew their current agreement at the Coliseum.
If the A’s move the team, they intend to keep their search confined to the Bay Area in order to stay close to their fans.
“I am hopeful of expanding our lease at the Oakland Coliseum for an extended term. If we cannot accomplish a lease extension, I hope to have an interim place to play in the Bay Area or in the area that reaches our television and radio fans -- either in an existing venue or in the erection of a temporary venue that we have asked our soccer stadium architect (360 Architecture) to explore.”
The city of San Jose filed a lawsuit against the league and commissioner Bud Selig, claiming that the league had violated anti-trust laws against monopolies and interfered with the city’s negotiations to bring the Athletics to San Jose. They lost their first claim, but an appeal will be heard in state court soon.
The Athletics will continue to look for a long-term solution to their stadium issues as well.
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