City Not Relying A’s Gondola Plan to Shuttle Fans

If the Oakland A’s have their way, traveling to the team’s proposed ballpark at Howard Terminal would involve gliding over Interstate 880 and the Southern Pacific railroad tracks in an aerial gondola.  But the city isn’t counting on it.  Read more here (subscription required).

Approval for A’s New Ballpark Rounding the Bases

The Oakland A’s pitch for a waterfront ballpark became closer to reality after the city council voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve an agreement with the port that allows the release of the project’s environmental review.  Read more here.

A’s Chief Operating Officer Leaving Club to Start Own Company

The executive behind the successful A’s Access program, which replaced the standard season-ticket setup with a monthly membership program, has left the team to start a company that will market the concept to other franchises in all sports.  Read more here and here.

County Agrees to Sell Land to A’s

The Alameda County (CA) Board of Supervisors voted Monday to sell its ownership in the Coliseum complex to the Oakland A’s, capping a years-long effort by the county to get out of the sports business and all but securing the baseball team’s future in the East Bay.  Read more here.

Talks Resume Between City and Team Over Coliseum Site

Talks between the City of Oakland and the Oakland A’s over a new ballpark resumed Wednesday, but without any agreement by the City to drop its lawsuit aimed at blocking the team from buying Alameda County’s half-share of the Coliseum site.  Read more here.

A’s Offer to Buy Out City’s Stake in Coliseum Site

In an effort to break the legal logjam that’s threatening their new ballpark, the Oakland A’s are offering to either buy out the city’s half share in the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum site for $85 million or enter into a long-term lease, sources close to the negotiations say.  Read more here.

Governor Signs Bills to Help Advance A’s Ballpark Plans

Amid new threats the Oakland Athletics could move to Las Vegas if a lawsuit by the city of Oakland is not dropped, the state capital has signaled its support for a new ballpark in downtown Oakland. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two Oakland-centric ballpark bills last week, each sponsored by local state officials, which will streamline the regulatory process and help fund infrastructure around the proposed site.  Read more here.

Manfred to Oakland: Drop Lawsuit or Risk Losing A’s

In an exclusive interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred left no doubt that the city of Oakland’s lawsuit to stop Alameda County from selling its portion of the Coliseum site to the A’s could have repercussions.  Read more here and here.

Oakland A’s Ballpark Bill Approved by Legislature

Legislation that would make it easier for Oakland (CA) to finance the infrastructure needed for a proposed Oakland A’s ballpark at the Port of Oakland’s Howard Terminal cleared its final hurdle at the state Capitol.  Supporters are asking Governor Newsom to sign the bill into law.  Read more here.

Oakland Ballpark Opponents Voice Concerns

Stakeholders at the Port of Oakland on this week gave the Oakland City Council an earful of concerns with a proposal for a new Oakland A’s ballpark near Jack London Square.  Read more here.

Solving the Transportation Puzzle for New A’s Ballpark

Unlike the Coliseum, which is adjacent to a BART station, the Howard Terminal site is isolated. It’s a mile away from three BART stations and constrained by railroad tracks and a waterfront.  It hugs a port bustling with truck traffic that’s critical to the region’s economy.  Read more here.

New A’s Ballpark Could Bring $7.3 Billion in Economic Benefit

The Oakland Athletics’ plan to build a privately-financed ballpark at Howard Terminal near Jack London Square could generate $7.3 billion in economic benefits over 10 years for Oakland and Alameda County, according to a study by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute.  Read more here.

Commission Gives Thumbs Up to Tentative Deal for Proposed Howard Terminal Ballpark

The Port of Oakland Commission voted Monday to approve a tentative term sheet with the Oakland A’s to build a new ballpark at Howard Terminal despite some outspoken opposition.  Read more and watch news report here.

Commission to Take Up A’s Ballpark Proposal, Supporters and Opponents Line Up

Both sides in the fight over the Oakland A’s waterfront ballpark are expected to turn out in force Monday for the first round in the approval process for the team’s planned 35,000-seat stadium, housing, retail and entertainment development at the Port of Oakland.  Read more here.

A’s Work to Accommodate Maritime Industry in Howard Terminal Ballpark Plan

With a bow to the shipping industry, the Oakland Port Commission is set to vote on the tentative term sheet for the Oakland A’s waterfront ballpark plan on May 13.  If approved, the A’s would have four years to complete an environmental import report and get the needed land use approvals from state and local agencies before they can reach a land lease deal with the port.  Read more here.

A’s Clear Legislative Ballpark Hurdle

The Oakland A’s proposal to build a new waterfront ballpark at Howard Terminal cleared a significant hurdle Monday night, as the California State Assembly Committee on Natural Resources voted 7-0 to move key legislation forward.  Read more here.

Opposition to A’s Ballpark Plan Heating Up

A new coalition took to the steps of Oakland City Hall Thursday to formally announce their opposition to the Oakland A’s plan to build a new stadium at the busy Howard Terminal.  Read more here.  Maritime stakeholders are also turning up the heat in opposition to the A’s ballpark plans.  Read more here.

6,000 New Housing Units Part of A’s Latest Ballpark Offer

The Oakland Athletics badly need a new ballpark.  Their latest offer is to build 6,001 homes in Oakland — one for themselves along the waterfront, the rest for a city desperately in need of housing.  Read more here.

A’s Tweak Ballpark Design

The Oakland Athletics have released updated renderings of the proposed ballpark at Howard Terminal. The team said it tweaked the design of the original boxy structure to provide better views of the bay and Oakland and after getting feedback from fans and public officials.  Read more here.

Despite Obstacles, MLB Chief Optimistic About A’s Chosen Ballpark Site

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred remains solidly behind the Oakland A’s efforts to build a stadium, even in the wake of a recent report about hazardous chemicals and the need for costly cleanup at the team’s preferred Howard Terminal site.  Read more here.  Read about mounting ballpark opposition here.

NFL’s Raiders to Share Field with MLB’s Giants

The Oakland Raiders have reportedly chosen to go from sharing O.Co Coliseum stadium next season with Oakland A’s to sharing Oracle Park with San Francisco Giants. The Raiders are scheduled to move to Las Vegas ahead of the 2020 season.

The #Raiders have made their choice. The #49ers and the NFL have to approve this for it to be final, and that has not happened yet. https://t.co/nk2SKnETyw

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 4, 2019

Oakland A’s Unveil New Ballpark Gondola Service

Prior to Oakland A’s FanFest at Jack London Square on Saturday, the team’s president, Dave Kaval, introduced the newest idea for the future home of the A’s — a gondola service.  Read more here.

A’s Working to Address New Ballpark Traffic, Shipping-Channel Concerns

The proposed Oakland Athletics baseball park to be located at the Port of Oakland is drawing criticism and opposition from maritime stakeholders, but a spokesman for the Oakland Athletics says that many of the industry’s concerns can be addressed.  Read more here.

A’s Unveil Waterfront Ballpark Plan, Coliseum Redevelopment

The Oakland A’s have unveiled a “bigger than baseball” mega-ballpark deal that includes a “jewel box” waterfront stadium at Howard Terminal on the city’s waterfront.  Read more here.  View more renderings here.

Las Vegas Ballpark Sales Center Opens in Summerlin

A grand opening for the Las Vegas Ballpark sales center was held on Wednesday.  The festivities included a ballpark-branded doughnut wall, baseball-themed snacks and refreshments, the Las Vegas 51s (Triple-A, Pacific Coast League) mascot Cosmo (wearing Oakland Athletics gear), and more.  Fans had the opportunity to view plans for the ballpark with staff assisting them in selecting and purchasing tickets for the 2019 season.  Read more and watch news report here.

A’s Will Announce Ballpark Deal Soon

The Oakland A’s are on track to announce a tentative deal to build a new ballpark by the end of the year, Dave Kaval, the club’s president, told Boomskie on Baseball, with a solid projection to open by 2023.  Read more here.

Gov. Brown Helps Pave Way for A’s New Ballpark

California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill Sunday that will prevent environmental complaints from significantly stalling the construction of a new ballpark for the Oakland A’s should they choose to build at an industrial waterfront spot.  Read more here.

Great Record, Empty Seats: Will New A’s Ballpark Significantly Boost Attendance?

As well as the Oakland A’s are playing, one look at their anemic attendance at the Coliseum will tell you why the team is looking to move to Howard Terminal.  Read more here.

State Lawmakers Help Clear Path for A’s Ballpark at Howard Terminal Site

State lawmakers voted overwhelmingly on Friday to make it just a little bit easier for the Oakland A’s to build a new ballpark at the Howard Terminal site near the Port of Oakland.  Read more here

A’s Hire ‘Pragmatic Utopian’ Danish Architectural Firm to Design Ballpark

The Oakland A’s have hired the cutting-edge Danish architectural firm, Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), to lead the design process for a new ballpark and surrounding development.  Read more here.

An Unsolicited Vision for a News A’s Ballpark

Working with a volunteer engineer and architect, Mark Anderson built a concept for a new Oakland Athletics ballpark, setting the stage for a meeting with A’s President Dave Kaval.  Read more and view renderings gallery here.

A’s to Ditch Season Tickets, Face Push Back on Howard Terminal Ballpark Site

The Oakland A’s announced this week that they will no longer offer traditional season tickets for 2019. The program will be replaced by something not yet tried before in Major League Baseball: A membership program, called A’s Access.  Read more here.  Meanwhile, there is push back on the Howard Terminal site for a new ballpark.  Read more here.

Legislative Solution for Speedier A’s Ballpark Build?

A proposed new ballpark for the Oakland A’s would have an easier path to construction through new legislation introduced this week.  Read more here.

Petco Park: a Model of Patience, Resolve and Success for A’s Ballpark Quest

John Moores has some advice for A’s president Dave Kaval and managing partner John Fisher in their quest to fund and build a new ballpark within the city limits of Oakland: Stay strong.  The results are worth it, the downside too extreme.  Read more here.

Howard Terminal and Coliseum Sites Now Officially on Negotiating Table

The Oakland (CA) City Council this week approved an “exclusive negotiating agreement” with the Oakland A’s, allowing the two to begin talks about constructing a ballpark at the Coliseum, the team’s home for 50 years.  The A’s now have the blessing to study both the Coliseum and Howard Terminal in their quest to build a new ballpark in Oakland.  Read more here.

Commissioners Vote to Enter Exclusive Negotiations with A’s for Howard Terminal Site

Port of Oakland commissioners on Thursday voted 6-0, with one member absent, to enter into exclusive negotiations with the Oakland A’s — a yearlong adventure where the only guarantee right now is the two sides agree to talk about Howard Terminal as a location for a new ballpark.  Read more here.

Vote to Advance Negotiations for Proposed Howard Terminal Ballpark Site Expected Thursday

Port of Oakland commissioners this week will vote on whether to enter into exclusive negotiations with the Oakland A’s to build a stadium at Howard Terminal, the first step in a yearlong review of the property.  Read more here.

A’s Celebrate 50th Anniversary, Offer Free Game Today

Tuesday marks the 50th anniversary of the A’s inaugural game at the Oakland Coliseum, and the team will celebrate by hosting a free-admission game vs. the White Sox.  The teams will also wear throwback uniforms.  Read more here.

You have questions and we have answers for Tuesday’s 50th Anniversary Game. Most importantly: parking gates opens at noon; ballpark gates open at 3:30pm for Season Ticket Members and 4:30pm for general admission tickets. Learn more about seating at https://t.co/X9z9RBVufQ pic.twitter.com/Q6rmcjtZMA

— Oakland Athletics 🌳🐘⚾ (@Athletics) April 12, 2018

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A’s Float Gondola System to Transport Fans to Games

The Oakland A’s are exploring using a gondola ski lift to transport fans from downtown to the Port of Oakland’s Howard Terminal, where the team is thinking of building a new ballpark.  Read more here and here.

A’s Bringing Back Harvey the Rabbit

A fan favorite of the Athletics first seasons in Oakland is back at the Coliseum. His name is Harvey the Rabbit.  The original Harvey the Rabbit was the brainchild of former A’s owner Charlie Finley, who rolled out many gimmicks to attract fans, including a mule named Charlie O.  Read more and watch video here.