The A's had been seeking to delay the payment due to shelter-in-place orders and restrictionsGETTY IMAGES
The A's and the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority have "settled their rent dispute -- the team sent in what may be its final rent check -- but not necessarily the tug-of-war," according to Phil Matier of the S.F. CHRONICLE. The A's and the authority "had been at odds over the team's attempt to defer part" of the $1.25M rent payment for '20 that was due April 1. The A's were "seeking to postpone the rent payment, saying the stadium could not be used because of the coronavirus shelter-in-place orders and restrictions by Alameda County and the state on large gatherings." But the authority "disagreed." The A's "paid, but with a warning that they may come back for a refund." Interim Coliseum Authority Exec Dir Henry Gardner said that the team "could raise the possibility for a refund, 'but we haven't agreed to that.'" Matier noted the deal is "likely to be the last time the rent issue comes up, because the team could soon be the Coliseum's landlord in addition to being the site's only tenant." The Oakland City Council "recently voted to enter into negotiations to sell its half of the 155-acre complex" to the A's for $85M. Alameda County "has already agreed to sell its share to the team for the same price" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 6/24).
