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Oakland A’s may not need to move for a new stadium

By David Hill

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 07: General view of a faulty light tower in left field before the game between the Oakland Athletics and the Cincinnati Reds at the Oakland Coliseum on May 7, 2019 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Cincinnati Reds 2-0. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 07: General view of a faulty light tower in left field before the game between the Oakland Athletics and the Cincinnati Reds at the Oakland Coliseum on May 7, 2019 in Oakland, California. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Cincinnati Reds 2-0. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /
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The City of Oakland is looking to sell the site of the Colesium. Meanwhile, the Oakland A’s have been trying to purchase land for a new stadium. Maybe…

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has reared its head in every conceivable way. The Oakland A’s, and the rest of Major League Baseball, have seen the game placed in an indefinite hiatus. While the league and the Player’s Union are trying to get some semblance of a season together, the pandemic is refusing to go away.

The pandemic is also interfering with the A’s plans in other ways. They had hoped to build a new stadium at Howard Terminal, beginning play in 2023. However, legal setbacks, as well as traffic, legal, and political hurdles, remain in place. The A’s still say they are optimistic, but optimism can only go so far.

There may be another option available. Due to the pandemic, the City of Oakland is in a financial crunch. As such, following extensive debate, the city is looking to sell its half of the site of the Oakland Colesium to the A’s.

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This directive is a stark departure from where the city stood less than a year ago. Back in October, several city leaders filed a lawsuit attempting to stop Alameda County from selling their half of the site to the franchise. That lawsuit was withdrawn following the urging of Major League Baseball, and certainly did not help relations between the city and the A’s.

Instead, this reversal of course could solve multiple issues at the same time. The city would get a needed infusion of cash, while ridding themselves of the sinkhole that is the Colesium. Meanwhile, the A’s would have a 155 acre site where they could theoretically construct a new stadium.

Likewise, the A’s would not need to worry about any timelines or issues from the city in terms of redevelopment. The team could instead build a new ballpark right next door, leveling the current stadium once the ballpark is done. 2023 might be a reasonable timeframe in that case.

Next. A's set up well financially going forward. dark

The Oakland A’s might be able to get their new stadium after all. It just would not be in Howard Terminal.