A's moving to Fremont?

[Cocos Disciples]

http://www.kcbs.com/pages/121049.php?contentType=4&contentId=236382

 

OAKLAND, Calif. (KCBS) -- KCBS has learned that the Oakland Athletics will soon announce plans to move the club to Fremont, and build a new stadium complex there.

 

KCBS sports anchor Steve Bitker broke the story Monday morning, learning via a source, that Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig is expected to come to the Bay Area next Tuesday, November 14, and is expected to make the announcement along with A's owner Lew Wolfe, Fremont city officials, and executives from Cisco Systems, which will lease the land for the complex.

 

The A's have not yet commented, except to say that they hope to make an official major announcement soon. The commissioner's office has not yet commented, either, but may comment shortly, according to Bitker.

 

The team has long worked for a new stadium deal, and KCBS's Bitker reports that the Fremont pact is expected to involve a 40,000 seat ballpark and surrounding residential and retail village.

 

 

[Cityofchampions33]

You think with the financial bind theyre in now, theyd make it more then 40 thou

[26 to 6]

I'm not too familiar with the Bay Area, so I don't know how close Fremont is to Oakland. I wonder if the distance is far enough for this to be considered a relocation, resulting in a name change. I should look into it.........

[kreinbihl34]

They don't have the fans to fill a 50,000 person stadium every night. That's why they don't more. 40,000 is still a push but they will sell-out about a dozen games.

[Moose]

I'm not too familiar with the Bay Area' date=' so I don't know how close Fremont is to Oakland. I wonder if the distance is far enough for this to be considered a relocation, resulting in a name change. I should look into it.........[/quote']

 

It's not close. But it's not like it's the distance between Los Angeles and San Diego.

 

http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/6087/bayareayx1.jpg

 

San Jose would've been the right place. More of a major city, but there's already a minor league team there. Then again, the Yankees have a team in Tampa.

[rician blast]

The move may make sense.

 

(1) Looks like Fremont is about 20 miles South of Oakland, and 15-20 miles North of San Jose and Santa Clara. Not a far drive although traffic in Cali sometimes dictates that ANY ride is a tough one. Logistically it makes sense.

 

(2) Oakland is a pit.

 

(3) This move would put them midway between Oakland (pop. 400k), San Jose, Cali's 3rd largest city (pop. 900k) and communities such as Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, etc which have 100k+ people. Fremont itself is a city of 210k people.

 

(4) Oakland is a pit.

 

New stadium...NOT located in Oakland...that's good. I wonder if there are TV implications here as well.

 

Oh and given the Fremont and San Jose areas are home to many Asians, I wonder if they'd go that route with players...not Matsazuka type, but decent Asian players.

[ORS]

Yeah, and besides, why would they want to stay in Oakland? That place is a pit.

[rician blast]

Yeah' date=' and besides, why would they want to stay in Oakland? That place is a pit.[/quote']

 

 

didn't have to be overly observant to notice my emphasis on that point...those who've been have described the city as an absolute sh*t hole, and that keeps many away.

[ORS]

Oh, I agree. I've passed through and that was enough for me. I just thought I'd show some support in your choice of language.

[elsrbueno]

Oakland may or may not be a pit, but is it worse than Detroit? Perhaps the Tigers will move to Harbor Springs?

 

Just kidding-- obviously the motivation here is financial-- MLB apparently considers San Jose Giants' country so it'd be interesting if they increase their fanbase by moving closer to San Jose.

 

Usually attendance increases right after building a new stadium then trails off a bit, so that shouldn't be a reason for building a new stadium.... I'm not fluent enough in the business of baseball to truly understand why move 25 miles south and spend $300 million... unless they anticipate increased revenues and an increased fanbase as a result.

[See Red]

The interesting question is whether or not they retain the name Oakland A's or they risk alienating some of their Oakland fanbase to try and draw more fans from nearby San Jose by becoming the San Jose A's. I don't believe there's anything to stop them from doing so, is there?

[arbitrary]

I would figure that people in San Jose are going to like the A's regardless of San Jose vs Oakland A's. Its either the A's or Giants in that area. I think they should change their name to the Almeda A's.

 

I know the A's and Raiders share the same stadium, but who knows what the hell the raiders are doing these past few years.

[Cityofchampions33]

The geography definately makes sense, as emntioend before putting them in between a handufl of major areas.