San Jose Approves Study On Financial Impact Of A's Ballpark

Study Says A's Ballpark In San Jose Would  Lead To $130M In Local Annual Spending

The San Jose City Council Tuesday "unanimously voted to accept an economic analysis" that "outlines the potential financial impact of a 14-acre baseball park" in the city, according to Tracy Seipel of the SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS. The study, prepared by Conventions, Sports & Leisure Int'l in anticipation of the A's possibly relocating to the city, "shows that the development of a 32,000-seat ballpark hosting 81 home games" and three non-MLB events a year would lead to $130M in "annual spending throughout the local economy" and $2.9B over a 30-year period. The analysis also suggested that a new stadium "would create 2,100 full-time, part-time and seasonal jobs in San Jose, of which 980 would be new jobs." The report noted that the A's "would be responsible for financing and building the stadium and financing all stadium operating costs" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 9/16).

MOVE ALONG: MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reported construction on the Marlins' new ballpark is "pushing forward at a rapid pace." Last week, concrete was "poured into the super columns, the large structures that will support the retractable-roof." Marlins President David Samson said that the frame of the stadium's seating bowl "should really be taking shape by the time Spring Training 2010 begins in February" (MLB.com, 9/14).