Major League Baseball (MLB) Commissioner, Rob Manfred, has clarified his comments on the turnout by Oakland Athletics fans, stating that it does not change “a decade worth of inaction”. Manfred explained that he was taken out of context when he sarcastically praised the 27,759 fans for amounting to “almost an average Major League Baseball crowd” for a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on June 13 at the Coliseum.
Manfred’s remarks were in response to the “reverse boycott” held in protest of the proposed move by the Athletics to Las Vegas. He said that he felt sorry for the fans and that he preferred finding a solution in Oakland. However, one night of good attendance does not change the fact that the team has had a decade worth of inaction.
Following an owners meeting on June 15, Manfred had said of the A’s turnout: “I mean, it was great. It’s great to see what is this year almost an average Major League Baseball crowd in the facility for one night. That’s a great thing.”
Approval Process for Athletics’ Proposed Move
MLB is set to begin a monthslong approval process for the Athletics’ proposed move to Las Vegas. Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo recently signed legislation granting $380 million in public financing for a ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip.
The relocation committee will study the relocation proposal and make recommendations to Manfred and the eight-man executive council. The council formulates a recommendation to all clubs, which must approve the move by at least a three-quarters vote. Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio will chair the relocation committee. Manfred said he has not appointed any additional members.
Manfred did not provide a firm timeline for the approval process, stating that it depends on when the application comes in and how long the committee feels it needs to examine the application.
The proposed $1.5 billion, 30,000-seat ballpark with a retractable roof would be close to Allegiant Stadium, where the NFL’s Raiders moved in 2020, and T-Mobile Arena, where the NHL’s Golden Knights started as an expansion team in 2017.
Oakland has the lowest average attendance among the 30 teams, with less than 10,000 fans per home game. The A’s have the worst record in the major leagues at 19-58.
Manfred’s comments on the Athletics’ proposed move to Las Vegas and the attendance of their fans were taken out of context. He expressed sympathy for the fans and said that he preferred finding a solution in Oakland. However, the team’s decade worth of inaction cannot be overlooked by one good turnout. The approval process for the proposed move is set to begin, and the relocation committee will study the proposal and make recommendations to Manfred and the executive council. The proposed ballpark would be close to other major sporting venues in Las Vegas.
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