MLB makes first move in effort to force A's out of Oakland (play 2 years in San Francisco)
Phillip Matier And Andrew Ross, San Francisco Chronicle / 11-3-13
Major League Baseball would help the Oakland A's move across the bay and play at rival Giants' AT&T Park in San Francisco if Coliseum officials don't come to terms on a new short-term lease for the team, sources tell us.
The A's two-year home stint at AT&T Park, which would start next season, would probably be the first step toward moving the team out of the Bay Area.
The league's hardball warning was passed on to Coliseum officials at a closed-door meeting by Jon Streeter, the San Francisco attorney who is representing the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority in the stadium lease negotiations.
We're told MLB is also demanding that the Coliseum give the A's just a two-year lease extension - not the five- to eight-year deal the authority has been pushing.
MORE: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/MLB-may-help-A-s-play-in-S-F-if-no-deal-sources-4952005.php
The article suggests a short-term lease would allow the A's flexibility for the owners to make a deal to move to San Jose or another city.
But the A's and Giants have home games on the same dates nine times next season. Does that mean two team doubleheaders?
BTW, according to the link what's really at issue between the A's and Coliseum officials hasn't been the length of the lease as much as the money from food and beverage concessions. Currently the A's manage that and receive most of the revenue. Coliseum authorities want to their share.
No doubt about it. MLB is trying to force the move.
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