The Warriors' impending return to S.F. “is a blow both to Oakland's pride and its chances for transforming” the O.co Coliseum site into a sports and entertainment center, according to Matthew Artz of the OAKLAND TRIBUNE. Oakland Mayor Jean Quan said in a statement, “Coliseum City is the long-term development project that was never dependent on any one tenant.” Council member Larry Reid, whose district includes the Coliseum site, said that Oakland “needed to turn its focus to the Raiders and the A's now that the Warriors are leaving town.” Reid: “I’m really disappointed, but I know it’s a business.” Artz noted Oakland and Alameda County "own the Coliseum land, but they need the teams to finance the stadium construction -- a prospect that seems increasingly unlikely." The Raiders have “expressed a preference to stay in Oakland but have not come forth with plans to build a new Coliseum” (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 5/23).
GOODBYE NEIGHBOR: A’s Owner Lew Wolff said, “Our situation is not impacted by decisions in other professional sports." Wolff: “I think the future potential of the Warriors is huge, and a modern venue will enhance that opportunity” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 5/24). In California, Carl Steward wrote MLB Commissioner Bud Selig “doesn’t have the heart to tell his old frat buddy ‘no,’ and Lew Wolff won’t take an implied ‘no’ for an answer” (CONTRA COSTA TIMES, 5/19).
