Will the Oakland Athletics Ever Get Their Dream of Building a Stadium on Oakland's Waterfront?

The saga of the Oakland Athletics's pursuit of a new stadium has been a contentious one. The team has faced numerous challenges, from financial and legal issues to political delays. Despite their persistence, the dream of building a stadium on Oakland's waterfront has come to a halt, at least for the time being.

The Lost Dream

No longer are the Athletics dreaming of erecting a new home along the Oakland waterfront. In a shocking turn of events, they finalized a deal to relocate the entire franchise to Las Vegas in 2020. This move will result in a new, extravagant stadium being built on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Tropicana, where the now-dilapidated Tropicana Hotel and Casino once stood.

Historical Context

Their primary motivation for leaving Oakland stems from the team's long-standing dissatisfaction with the Oakland Coliseum, which has been a liability for the franchise. The arena, which has been the team's home since 1966, has repeatedly fallen short in terms of facilities and amenities. In fact, it was the main force behind the Oakland Raiders moving to Las Vegas in 1982.

City's Position and Public Sentiment

The Athletics' owner might be partially to blame for the situation, but much of the responsibility rests with the city of Oakland. For over four decades, Oakland has been unenthusiastic about building new sports facilities. This attitude isn’t solely a target for criticism.

If a metropolitan area decides not to allocate taxpayer funds for such projects, this could be a wise decision and provoke no complaints. However, the city’s decision also comes with consequences, which must be accepted.

Current Hopes for Future Stadiums

While the prospects of a new Oakland Athletics stadium look dim, there are faint glimmers of hope. As of the latest updates:

2023 looks like a plausible year if a new stadium is constructed at the existing Coliseum location. A location closer to Jack London Square, at the Howard Terminal, might be developed later in the year, approximately one to two years from now.

Both potential locations have their pros and cons:

Howard Terminal Jack London Square

Proximity to Entertainment District: The site is close to an existing entertainment district, providing fans with somewhere to go after games, akin to San Francisco’s experiences. Environmental Issues: However, this location requires extensive environmental cleanup. Additionally, fans would have to travel over a mile to the nearest BART station, and parking is limited, leading to accessibility problems. Prosperous Neighborhood: Affluent and vibrant areas are within a couple of miles of the venue, which could boost attendance.

Coliseum Area

Convenient Access: The Coliseum provides good access via both car and BART, avoiding significant environmental hurdles. Location Challenges: However, the area is in an industrial district with limited entertainment options nearby. Moreover, a sketchy neighborhood sits on the other side of San Leandro Street, raising concerns that attendance might dwindle once the novelty of the new stadium wanes.

The choice of location for the Oakland Athletics is fraught with challenges, and it remains uncertain if any new stadium will materialize in the foreseeable future.