The City of Oakland is set to sell its half of the Coliseum complex to the African American Sports and Entertainment Group, paving the way for a massive entertainment, retail, and residential development project that could revitalize the area. The sale, valued at least $105 million, comes as the Athletics prepare to leave Oakland, leaving the Coliseum without a major tenant. The move is seen as an opportunity for East Oakland's development and will help cover the city's budget deficit, although officials emphasize that the decision is not solely financially motivated.
The New York State Fairgrounds will open Chevy Court and the Coliseum for overflow crowds to watch a live stream of funeral services for Onondaga County Sheriff Lt. Michael Hoosock, who was killed in a shootout with an armed gunman. The addition of the Coliseum brings indoor seating to 10,000, and a North Carolina man has offered to donate a tractor-trailer with a mobile screen for Chevy Court viewers. The state fair's website states that Chevy Court can seat up to 30,000 people outside.
The Oakland A's and city officials had a positive and productive first meeting regarding the team's lease at the Coliseum, which is set to expire this year. The A's are eager to stay in the Bay Area due to TV contract revenue, but Oakland has made clear demands, including leaving behind their history and colors and increasing the rent at the Coliseum. Despite the A's exploring other locations, both parties are expected to continue negotiations, with the hope of reaching a favorable outcome.
The Oakland Athletics ruled out the Coliseum as a potential site for their new ballpark in order to aid their efforts to relocate to Las Vegas. The team's relocation application with Major League Baseball pertains to the city of Oakland as a whole, not just their current ballpark, so they need to convince three-quarters of MLB owners that Oakland is not a viable location for the team. A's owner John Fisher believed that the Coliseum site did not offer the proper foundation for the ballpark concept they envisioned, stating that a great and successful ballpark is necessary for the team's competitiveness and revenue goals. The A's current lease at the Coliseum runs through the end of the 2024 MLB season.
Left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea and outfielder Mark Canha, both former Oakland A's players, expressed sadness over the team's potential move to Las Vegas. The San Francisco Giants also issued a statement acknowledging the A's as a big part of Bay Area baseball history and a loss for all baseball fans if they were to leave. The A's lease at the Coliseum expires at the end of next season, and the team has secured a land deal in Las Vegas as a precursor to a potential move. The Giants' territorial rights to Santa Clara County prevented the A's from moving to San Jose a decade ago.
