Lew Wolff Says A's Will Leave Oakland For New Stadium

Wolff Says A's Will Leave Oakland For New Ballpark

A’s Owner Lew Wolff during an address at the Commonwealth Club in S.F. last night said that the team "will leave Oakland regardless of whether Fremont approves plans" for a new ballpark, according to Carolyn Jones of the S.F. CHRONICLE. Wolff said, "We don't want to move. We don't want to start pitting cities against each other, but it's out of the question we'll stay in Oakland." Wolff indicated that the team "cannot succeed while sharing a ballpark" with the Raiders, and that it is "impossible for the A's to remain" at McAfee Coliseum due to the "torn-up outfield, awkward seating configuration and lack of space to build fan amenities," including restaurants and shops. A's fans said that "they fear they'd be shut out of games [in Fremont] due to nightmarish traffic, potentially higher ticket prices and fewer seats." But Wolff said that those problems "will be solved by the time the stadium would open in 2012" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 10/23). Wolff admitted that "realizing the vision of Cisco Field is at least four years away and probably five, and that he may be too old and exhausted by the pursuit to actually enjoy much of it himself" when it gets built. Wolff also indicated that "he hopes he'll be able to pronounce this venture a done deal within the next 12-18 months" (CONTRA COSTA TIMES, 10/23).

WHOOPS: During a subsequent Q&A last night, Wolff said, "Asian players, probably if you asked them -- and could understand them -- they would like to stay on the West Coast." In California, Carl Steward writes Wolff "might be hearing" about that comment, since his address was broadcast on the radio (CONTRA COSTA TIMES, 10/23).