Menu
Facilities

Sewage Issues At O.co Coliseum Have A's Execs, Players Talking New Stadium

The A's and Mariners "had to shower together in the Raiders’ second-floor locker room" at O.co Coliseum after yesterday's game because "raw sewage backed up into both clubhouse shower areas, the umpires’ room and all bathrooms on the clubhouse level," according to Susan Slusser of the S.F. CHRONICLE. Sewage also was backed up in "both managers’ offices and the Mariners’ training room." The umpires "left without showering, as did much of the Mariners’ coaching staff and manager Eric Wedge." A's VP/Stadium Operations David Rinetti said that the team "deals with this issue on a regular basis because of the age of the building." But he added, "Never to this extent." Slusser noted the game drew a sellout crowd of 36,067, "which might have put additional strain on the aging plumbing, but leaking pipes and backed up drains are common even on days off because the facility was built in 1966." A's President Michael Crowley, when asked about the need for a new stadium, said, “It’s clear, right? This isn’t the first time this has happened.” Rinetti said, "We will deal with the facility to evaluate it. We will replace all carpeting in affected areas to make sure it’s safe for players and staff of all teams and for our own employees to work down there. That is a very high priority" (SFGATE.com, 6/16). A's P A.J. Griffin said, "Make sure everybody finds out about this sewage thing. We need to get a new stadium" (AP, 6/16). ESPN.com's Buster Olney writes under the header "A New Low For A's Ballpark" and notes, "The current situation, stench and all, is unsustainable." Olney: "The stalemate involved in the Athletics' efforts to move to San Jose has continued, and what's crazy about it is that eventually, it's going to happen. At some point, either some owner or some politician is going to break out the baseball version of a legal broadsword, because the Oakland franchise is rotting and San Jose wants a team that the Giants ... say they can't have" (ESPN.com, 6/17).

MENU MALAISE: In S.F., Scott Ostler writes, "The A's ancient ballpark has its funky charms, but food variety ain't one of 'em." No longer available at "lower-level concession stands this season: Chicken tacos, chicken strips and maybe other items." Ostler: "Maybe the thinking is: Fewer distracting menu options mean more time for fans to enjoy the game. Is that a tarp over my old favorite chicken-taco stand?" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 6/17).

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 25, 2024

NFL meeting preview; MLB's opening week ad effort and remembering Peter Angelos.

Big Get Jay Wright, March Madness is upon us and ESPN locks up CFP

On this week’s pod, our Big Get is CBS Sports college basketball analyst Jay Wright. The NCAA Championship-winning coach shares his insight with SBJ’s Austin Karp on key hoops issues and why being well dressed is an important part of his success. Also on the show, Poynter Institute senior writer Tom Jones shares who he has up and who is down in sports media. Later, SBJ’s Ben Portnoy talks the latest on ESPN’s CFP extension and who CBS, TNT Sports and ESPN need to make deep runs in the men’s and women's NCAA basketball tournaments.

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2013/06/17/Facilities/Oakland-Coliseum.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2013/06/17/Facilities/Oakland-Coliseum.aspx

CLOSE