Dave Kaval is taking quite a bit of heat from the Oakland A’s fanbase lately. It is entirely understandable as to why that would be – he is the face of ownership and is going to be receiving the brunt of the fan’s ire when it comes to the team’s general refusal to spend on payroll. That anger only increased when the A’s doubled ticket prices while undergoing a fire sale.
Kaval has also been attempting to play both sides of the stadium battle. While he has been pushing for a binding resolution for the Howard Terminal Project, he has also been a part of the contingent courting Las Vegas as the A’s new home. It is not easy to trust anything he says.
Dave Kaval keeps claiming Oakland A’s will increase payroll with new stadium
As such, it is not a surprise that fans have had enough. They are challenging him on social media any time he claims that a new ballpark is necessary to draw the revenue needed for the A’s to retain their players. And yet, it is a drum he continues to beat.
There is no question that the A’s need a new ballpark. The Coliseum is falling apart and would need far more renovation than it is worth. The Howard Terminal Project is certainly long overdue.
However, it is foolish to think that a new ballpark will solve all of the A’s financial woes. John Fisher is worth billions, yet prefers to pocket revenue sharing checks than to spend a dime on the team. The A’s had the type of core that could have contended for a championship but refused to spend the money needed to supplement the roster with those free agents needed to take that step.
And yet, Kaval keeps saying that will be different with a new ballpark. He claims that the new stadium, whether in Oakland or Las Vegas, will draw the fans needed to keep their next wave of stars. Frankly, the A’s would have been able to draw those fans if they just spent the money in the first place. And maybe, just maybe, there would not be such a hassle about getting that new ballpark.
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Dave Kaval continues to claim that a new ballpark will allow the Oakland A’s to keep their players. He also continues to be wrong based on ownership’s net worth.