Drama by the Bay: A's & Giants issue dueling statements on territorial rights (San Jose: appointed, buying)

[18Montclair]

This all transpired today.

A's statment on their desire to move:
A's 'hopeful' MLB will authorize move

Giants rebuttal released a few hours later:
Giants respond to A's on territorial rights issue


This bit from the A's statement I think really undermines their argument:
We are hopeful that the Commissioner, the committee appointed by the Commissioner, and a vote of the MLB ownership, will enable us to join the fine array of modern and fun baseball parks that are now commonplace in Major League Baseball.”

Newsflash: The Athletics don't need to leave Oakland in order to accomplish this.

[Natural510]

And, once again, MLB remains silent on the issue.

[18Montclair]

From the Giants:
The MLB owners unanimously approved those designated territories and memorialized them in the MLB Constitution. Since then, the MLB Constitution has been re-affirmed by the MLB owners – including by the A’s – on three different occasions (2000, 2005 and 2008), long after the Giants won approval to build AT&T Park. Mr. Wolff and Mr. Fisher agreed to these territorial designations and were fully aware of our territorial rights when they purchased the A’s for just $172 million in 2005.

The population of Santa Clara County alone represents 43% of our territory. Upon purchasing the team 20 years ago, our plan to revive the franchise relied heavily on targeting and solidifying our fan base in the largest and fastest growing county within our territory. Based on these Constitutionally-recognized territorial rights, the Giants invested hundreds of millions of dollars to save and stabilize the team for the Bay Area, built AT&T Park privately and has operated the franchise so that it can compete at the highest levels.”


I wonder what possible rebuttal the A's could make to the part in red?

[gone down south]

Giants answer Athletics’ statement with dig of their own » Bay Area Sports Guy

“Just $172 million in 2005.”

The Giants effectively told the A’s to stop whining about how the used Jaguar they bought off Craigslist for $5K under blue book is in the shop all the time.

The Giants literally told the A’s that $172 million for a Major League Baseball franchise only buys two counties and one side of the Bay.

LOL

[ZhugeLiang]

Frankly, I wish the A's would leave. The territorial rights deal along with the damning affirmation by the A's organization has really painted them into a corner. I disagree that it exists in reality, but the "official designation" seems to be firmly in place.

At least this should provide Oakland with leverage when Wolff inevitably comes to the city with his hand out. Shockingly, in a rare display of good judgement, Mayor Quan has ruled out public money. Though that's likely only because we're still on the hook from Al Davis' fleecing of taxpayers from back in the 90s.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by ZhugeLiang

Frankly, I wish the A's would leave. The territorial rights deal along with the damning affirmation by the A's organization has really painted them into a corner. I disagree that it exists in reality, but the "official designation" seems to be firmly in place.

At least this should provide Oakland with leverage when Wolff inevitably comes to the city with his hand out. Shockingly, in a rare display of good judgement, Mayor Quan has ruled out public money. Though that's likely only because we're still on the hook from Al Davis' fleecing of taxpayers from back in the 90s.

Its a good thing to not use any taxpayer money. If Jean Quan can pull off funding that project with private funding, she deserves accolades.

Furthermore, The A's need an owner who is willing to actively market to his fan base. Lew Wolff has essentially zero desire to build a franchise in the East Bay, which is idiotic. How is it that the A's were able to draw nearly 3 Million people in 1990 and 1991 but now its widely believed that such a fete would be impossible?

[Natural510]

If a sports owner is going to use his own money to build a park, he has to ensure a return on his investment. Chuck Reed (SJ mayor) was able to gather 75 CEO signatures urging Selig to approve a move to San Jose. That's 75 corporations who will be buying luxury boxes and group season tickets. Where are the East Bay companies willing to do the same?

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by Natural510

If a sports owner is going to use his own money to build a park, he has to ensure a return on his investment.

No, Wolff's desire to move is pure ego and personal preference and less to do with investment returns as evidenced by his elitist, igorant comments about Oakland, as well as the pathetic crying he did when he told SJ officials in a public meeting that he intends to move the team to SJ.

I laugh when he tries to have his cake and eat it to. If its a business decision, prepare to defend it beyond vague generalizations about the East Bay. If its about a personal wet dream, admit it so MLB can defeat it already.

If you want to talk about the largest potential fan base possible, the East Bay smacks San Jose out of the water---of course that would require Wolff to actually invest in Oakland, actively market to locals and do his part to make the fan experience enjoyable--of course that's not what he wants.

Chuck Reed (SJ mayor) was able to gather 75 CEO signatures urging Selig to approve a move to San Jose. That's 75 corporations who will be buying luxury boxes and group season tickets. Where are the East Bay companies willing to do the same?

1. Bud Selig does not have the power to unilaterally approve moving the team, otherwise it would have been done already. Right?

2. That is no guarantee whatsoever that those corporations would buy luxury boxes. Its simply dangling a carrot in front of Selig's face with no real commitment to anything.

3. There is ZERO indication whatsoever that if Oakland didnt build a brand new stadium, it would NOT be able to attract corporate sponsors to its corporate boxes.

[krudmonk]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

How is it that the A's were able to draw nearly 3 Million people in 1990 and 1991 but now its widely believed that such a fete would be impossible?

What were ticket prices back then? What was the top player salary? Who was juicing for the A's to win championships? How big a deficit did Haas run? What other baseball stadium were they competing with? Why do you cite figures from 20 years ao instead of this past decade when the team was successful and drew mediocre crowds?

Originally Posted by Natural510

If a sports owner is going to use his own money to build a park, he has to ensure a return on his investment.

It's funny how that gets lost in all this. Most bad owners will bleed taxpayers dry with threats to move. Meanwhile, Wolff and Fisher propose a reasonable business model for funding their own team, which is how it should be in this country. It was the Raiders who took hundreds of millions in free money to destroy the Coliseum as a baseball venue, but they are still seen as good guys because Mark Davis said "we'd like to stay in Oakland" as he talks to multiple parties down in LA.

[MaikeerinWA]

I was regularly one of those attendees, back then. But that was twenty years ago, and one big difference is the ballpark. The stadium was actually quite nice back then, especially in comparison to Candlestick. It's not a very pleasant destination now.

The Silicon Valley would be great for the A's, with all the corporate headquarters down there, if something acceptable can't be worked out in the East Bay. The Giants' opposition tells you a lot about the financial attractiveness of the South Bay.

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

How is it that the A's were able to draw nearly 3 Million people in 1990 and 1991 but now its widely believed that such a fete would be impossible?