The city of Oakland may ask a Superior Court judge for an
injunction forcing the A's to play their first six home games at
the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, according to this morning's
OAKLAND TRIBUNE. The announcement, which came after a City
Council meeting last night, "significantly escalated the war"
between the Coliseum and A's over stadium renovations. Council
Member Ignacio De La Fuente said the A's decision to move their
home opener was an insult and that they will "do whatever has to
be done to protect our reputation and make sure they follow their
agreement." Robert Salladay writes the injunction could "affect
the already-strained-relationship" the city has with the team
(OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 3/20). Most reports have the team playing its
first two home series in Las Vegas at the 10,000-seat Cashman
Field, but talks have gotten off to "a poor start," according to
the SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS. Sources say the A's asked for a
guarantee of $1.05M for six games, while Las Vegas' initial offer
was for about $300,000 -- later upped to about $500,000. A's GM
Sandy Alderson expects a deal today, but one cannot be reached,
the team would likely open in New Orleans (Robert Kuwada SAN JOSE
MERCURY NEWS, 3/20).
