Rob Manfred backs Athletics owner after criticism from Oakland mayor
Oakland mayor Sheng Thao has accepted none of the blame for the Oakland Athletics’ recent decision to leave the city, instead pointing the finger at A’s owner John Fisher. MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has come out in support of the owner, discussing how MLB and the organization did everything they could to keep them in Oakland.
While speaking with the Associated Press, Manfred addressed tweets made by Oakland’s mayor following the news of the A’s intention to build a new stadium in Las Vegas.
“I feel sorry for the fans in Oakland,” he said. “I really do. But for the city of Oakland to point fingers at John Fisher, it’s not fair.
“We have shown an unbelievable commitment to the fans in Oakland by exhausting every possible opportunity to try to get something done in Oakland. Unfortunately, the government doesn’t seem to have the will to get it done.”
Although Oakland’s mayor just recently took office in January, this has been an almost two-decade-long struggle. Since purchasing the team in 2005, Fisher has attempted to leave the broken-down Coliseum countless times. Along with Manfred and MLB, new stadium constructions in Oakland, San Jose and Fremont were all proposed.
For Thao to imply that Fisher, Rob Manfred and the A’s have been the sole problem in negotiations is comical. The city already failed to keep both the Warriors and Raiders in Oakland. The Athletics, Fisher and Rob Manfred were patient and loyal to Oakland fans in trying to get a deal for a new stadium done. With no new deal in sight, the decision to relocate to Vegas is not surprising.
Sheng Thao Is A Complete Hypocrite:
The Oakland Coliseum has been the home of professional sports in Oakland since its construction in 1966. The A’s arrived in 1968 and have spent 55 consecutive seasons in the city — longer than both the Warriors and Raiders.
I grew up a 40-minute drive from the Coliseum and have attended at least two dozen home A’s games. Even as a young kid, it was apparent to me that they needed to move out of the dilapidated stadium. It was also apparent that the government in Oakland never held up its end of the bargain in helping the A’s do so.
While Sheng Thao happened to be the mayor when the Athletics officially decided to move, she is simply a product of her predecessors: Choosing instead to not prioritize the city’s professional sports franchises.
Also implying that money intended for, “the safety and well-being of our residents,” cannot be spent. This is truly hilarious. While Oakland is a city rich with history and amazing people, going to a Raiders or even Athletics game has been a gamble my entire life. The city has experienced financial and crime troubles for decades.
The fact that Manfred, MLB and Fisher waited this long to relocate the A’s to Las Vegas is long overdue, as a Bay Area native.
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