The next team to use A’s relocation as a boogeyman is the Arizona Diamondbacks.
a relocation plan lacking money, an independent economic report, renderings, and significant local support.
As we stated months ago, other teams would take advantage of the Oakland A’s possible move to Las Vegas to improve their own towns through ballpark renovations or the construction of new venues. The Milwaukee Brewers and Kansas City Royals, two of the three owners on the relocation committee, have already begun along that route. According to Forbes, “government agencies are assuring the Milwaukee Brewers that $500 million in public funds would be available to rehabilitate the American Family Field, which opened in 2001.”
The projected cost of the new ballpark that the Royals want to construct is $2 billion, of which half would come from private funding. A 3/8th-cent sales tax may provide the remaining half, although voters may ultimately decide on that.
This takes us to the Diamondbacks, who announced on Monday that president Derrick Hall and managing general partner Bob Kendrick both wanted a piece of the action.
The Diamondbacks have left the door open by speculating that they might run out of time in Phoenix, even though they haven’t officially announced that they are leaving town just yet. We hope that will not occur.
Having witnessed the A’s relocation attempt firsthand, this is standard fare. A team will begin by declaring their love for their home city of Oakland, and if the city doesn’t give in to their demands and give them a lot of free money, they will soon be seeking another place to play.
Oakland and the A’s should reengage, Billy Beane urged.
Bob Kendrick adds, “There are opportunities accessible,” in the video above. Other cities would be envious of hosting Major League Baseball. The cities listed there are well-known ones that would adore owning a Major League franchise. Although we don’t communicate with those groups, we are aware of what is happening.
“Our sport is probably going to spread to a few more cities in the future. Cities are communicating their interest to MLB. They have a particular interest in acquiring a team. They would be content with a whole new franchise, but to be honest, they would also be really content with a prosperous current franchise.”
It’s no accident that the D-Backs are pushing for public funding for ballpark improvements at this specific time, immediately following a World Series appearance. The estimated cost of those renovations would be between $400 and $500 million, with some of the cost covered by public financing.
The Chicago White Sox, who play in one of the best markets in the nation, asked the public for $1 billion last week to build a new ballpark. Even if that seems absurdly high, it will be interesting to follow the Sox’s quest to acquire a new ballpark. That team won’t be able to threaten to move as easily because they play in the third-biggest media market in the nation, right after New York and Los Angeles.
Aside from the A’s current predicament, there will be fewer “genuine” locations to exploit as threats of relocation if MLB grows to 32 teams. Either the A’s or an expansion franchise will play in Las Vegas. Depending on how the A’s scenario plays out, Salt Lake City may also receive one or the other, so these teams must seize part of that public cash while they still have the ability to fool officials with false relocation rumors.
It’s no accident that a number of other clubs begin corresponding with their local governments about either new stadium construction or renovations as soon as the A’s announce they’re heading to Las Vegas. The rich owners of the A will siphon off as much free money as possible from the communities they purport to serve because their position is the boogeyman.
