Oakland City Council Approves A's Lease Deal With Modifications

The Oakland City Council last night voted to approve the A's 10-year lease extension at O.co Coliseum, "but with several modifications opposed by A's management." The "most substantive change would have altered the lease terms to free from liability the city and Alameda County, who jointly own the Coliseum Complex, for perceived lease violations" by the Raiders. If the A's "agree to the city's modifications, the amended deal could go to the Alameda County Board of Supervisors later this month for final approval." The county "could also approve the deal already agreed to by the Coliseum board" (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 7/17).

A's President Michael Crowley said he was "caught by surprise" and "disappointed" that the council had changed the terms. He added that he "couldn't say whether the A's would agree to the changes until he had the chance to review them" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 7/17).