Category: Sacramento A’s

Athletics Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: When will actual construction begin on Vegas ballpark for A’s?

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Athletics president Sandy Dean addresses the Las Vegas Stadium Authority regarding the construction finance for the A’s Vegas ballpark. Dean said is working the planning stages for zoning, traffic, parking and designs to name a few. Dean is seeking to get some of the SB1 funding to get the project moving by March 2025 (LV SportsBiz photo)

On the Athletics Relocation podcast with Daniel:

#1 Those who are following the progress of the Athletics new Las Vegas Stadium project ask the ongoing question when will construction get off the ground for the new park on the corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Tropicana Blvd?

#2 The A’s and Clark County are still working out the details of how funding will go to begin the process of the ground breaking for the Tropicana Park which be build on nine acres on the 35 acre property of the old Tropicana.

#3 The cost overruns since the A’s and the Las Vegas Stadium Authority came to an agreement in 2023 have increased to from $1.5 billion to $1.75 billion and A’s president Sandy Dean said that talks are in the early stages with Clark County on how the money will be spent on construction.

#4 Ground breaking is scheduled around March 2025. The nuts and bolts of getting the construction of the park underway is between April and June 2025 with a target date of completion of March 2028.

#5 Right now Dean says the A’s need to get funding from Clark County to cover land use, zoning, traffic and parking plans, design, occupancy details and needed offsite improvements.

Daniel Dullum does the A’s Relocation podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Athletics Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: Did fans and media put the pressure on Kaval to eventually resign?

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Outgoing Athletics president David Kaval resigned this week and said he would seek other ventures and will remain living in California (file photo Oakland Athletics)

On the Athletics Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 The reaction of the resignation of A’s president David Kaval is one of good riddance in commentaries on social media, main stream media and by former Oakland A’s fans.

#2 Kaval had once said that the A’s are rooted in Oakland when all of that changed in June 2023 when Kaval announced the A’s had a binding deal to move to Las Vegas that was pretty much the beginning of the end of any hope to stay in Oakland but also Kaval is remembered for rubber stamping the idea rather resigning right then and there instead of doing it after Christmas 2024.

#3 Daniel, do you feel the resignation of Kaval was caused by all the last two years of criticism from fans, media, MLB fans around the country, social media, the heart break of the A’s moving out of Oakland and that Kaval was the face of this move.

#4 To what degree does the announcement have a shock value or are people really surprised at all considering the way this relocation had been handled. No money for the construction costs have been announced for the Vegas ballpark as of yet. Did owner John Fisher’s role in all of this and getting negative reaction from the fans and media prove too much for Kaval where he just really had no choice but to walk away?

#5 Fisher family business associate Sandy Dean who had spoke at multiple Las Vegas Stadium Authority meetings in helping cement the financial plans to finance the Vegas ballpark will take over Kaval’s job as team president.

Daniel Dullum does the Athletics Relocation podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s President David Kaval resigns; At one time Kaval had promised A’s would be rooted in Oakland

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From left, analyst Jeremy Aguero, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority CEO Steve Hill and Oakland A’s President Dave Kaval during a presentation to a Senate committee of the whole on the team’s proposed stadium funding during the 35th special session of the Legislature on June 7, 2023, in Carson City. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)

A’s President resigns

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

In a few weeks, there will be a change in the White House for a new President of the United States. Here in California, in the state capital of Sacramento, there are also changes, but in the world of sports, with their new baseball team, with just five days until the new year. Also, this was a change at the top, as Dave Kaval, President for the past eight years for the Oakland A’s, resigned to pursue new business opportunities in California. December 31, 2024, will be his last day with the team,

“We are grateful for Dave’s contributions and leadership over the past eight years. He guided our organization through a period of significant transition, and we sincerely thank him for his unwavering commitment to the team,” said A’s Owner John Fisher.” Sandy Dean, a longtime business partner of the Fisher family, will serve as interim President. Eventually, the team will hire a new President as they begin a search next year.

The A’s will play for at least three years in Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. Kaval, 49, served as the seventh president of the Athletics in the franchise’s 123-year history, which began in Philadelphia in 1901. Seven Presidents in 123 years for a franchise is not that many, considering the A’s are now working on their fourth city to be their home base: Philadelphia, Kansas City, Oakland, and Sacramento, with plans for Las Vegas as their potential fifth different city.

Although not a done deal if Las Vegas doesn’t materialize, Sacramento, who is scheduled to be in the Major Leagues, might be in the Major Leagues for decades to come as the A’s will have to settle there permanently, not what Mr.Fisher is planning for, but there is a possibility. Since in our country, only two things are certain “death and taxes.”

“I will be staying in California to explore new opportunities at the crossroads of business and government. I am grateful to A’s ownership for the opportunities they have given me.” -Dave Kaval. His resumé includes working for private business, government, and sports teams.

He has also taught Sports Management at the Stanford Graduate School of Business for the past decade. This should not surprise anybody because this team still transitioning, and not a surprise also, especially in professional sports, where Presidents, General Managers, Field Managers, and players come and go regularly. Only God knows where this is all headed. All I can tell you and make an easy prediction—actually with certainty—is that 2025 will be here in a few days. Happy New Year! Felíz Año Nuevo!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Athletics Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s should have stayed in a big league park

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Sutter Health Ballpark future home of the Athletics for the 2025-27 seasons before they move onto Las Vegas in 2028 (AP file photo)

Athletics Relocaton podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 Big splashy talk about the A’s move . The Athletics who were on a tight budget and couldn’t afford to bridge the $36 million gap in 2023 with then Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao to make a deal to build Howard Terminal park couldn’t get that money together and now is finding money hidden in the many Oakland A’s couches to cover the construction cost the new Las Vegas stadium and sign some expensive players.

#2 Fans were duped into thinking the A’s didn’t have the budget to surpass the $62.1 million they had on their rosters for the last two years in player salary that was ranked a fifth of what the New York Yankees and Mets payroll was.

#3 The A’s who moved from the fifth largest TV market Oakland move to Sacramento the 20th mid size TV market for the interim 2025-2027 seasons and leaves for the 40th sized TV market Las Vegas in spring of 2028. On paper at least it looks as if the A’s will lose money but that might happen after a honeymoon with Sacramento and Las Vegas fans.

#4 The A’s during their last three years in Oakland had lost 307 games and one of the worst records in the game. Now the A’s had signed Luis Severino and are banking on Severino and newest signed pitcher Jeffrey Springs to hold the line for the upcoming 2025 season.

#5 The move to Sacramento helps keep the A’s within the same TV price range they were getting when they played in Oakland at $45 million.

Join Daniel Dullum for the A’s relocation podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Rickey’s passing comes as a shock to sports world

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Rickey Henderson of the Oakland A’s waves to the crowd at the Oakland Coliseum after he stole third base to break Ty Cobb’s stolen base record in the seventh inning at the Oakland Coliseum May 30, 1990 (AP file photo)

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 The passing of Rickey Henderson at age 65 comes as a shock. Rickey looked like a picture of health the last time he made two public appearances. The first one was at the A’s last home game ever in Oakland on Sep 26, 2024 and at the Reggie Jackson Classic one month later on Oct 27, 2024 all at the Coliseum.

#2 Rickey’s family made the sad announcement confirming Rickey’s former teammate Dave Winfield’s X tweet that announced Rickey’s passing on Friday night.

#3 Charlie, Rickey’s playing days he had that swagger once he came on the scene. Rickey even waved his glove at the fans in leftfield during his playing days.

#4 Rickey’s most famous moment came when he stole his 939th stolen base that broke Lou Brock’s stolen base record in 1991. Rickey holds the record for stolen bases in season at 130 and holds the record for the most bases stolen of all time at 1406.

#5 Charlie, I have to ask you in closing you and coachie had the opportunity to interview Rickey numerous times during his tenure with the A’s in Oakland. How special was that and what was that relationship like?

Charlie O does Headline Sports Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Athletics Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: All of sudden A’s in the chips with Severino signing and covering Vegas ballpark costs

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Luis Severino A’s pitcher (right) who signed for a two year $67 million deal shakes hands with A’s general manager David Forst (left) at the Severino press conference at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento on Fri Dec 10, 2024 (Athletics X photo)

On the Athletics relocation podcast with Daniel:

#1 A’s owner John Fisher who has owned the A’s for 20 years and had signed pitcher Luis Severino to the largest contract since they had third baseman Eric Chavez. Severino signed for two years at $67 million. In 2004 Chavez had a six year deal with the A’s worth $66 million.

#2 The criticism about the Severino deal is that the A’s and the city of Oakland back in 2023 couldn’t reach a deal for Howard Terminal which fell some $36 million short for it to close the deal but the A’s were able to find the money to sign Severino for $67 million this month.

#3 It was pointed out that Fisher said of the reasons to move the A’s was that the attendance was horrible, nobody shows up, it’s the ballpark, and now they have to play in a minor league park in Sacramento but they couldn’t afford to pay the City of Oakland $90 million to play their remaining three interim years at the Oakland Coliseum before moving to Vegas.

#4 Also the A’s who originally were to pay $1.5 billion for the construction costs for the Vegas ballpark those costs have gone up to $1.75 billion and that cost could go up even further to $2 billion. It’s amazing what can happen if the A’s need to get something but couldn’t find the money for Howard Terminal?

#5 What about Commissioner Rob Manfred was he duped thinking the A’s had no money for Howard Terminal therefore they could get some love from the State of Nevada in public funding to build the park but who’d a thunk the A’s found funding with the Severino deal and covering their Vegas ballpark costs all this month?

Join Daniel Dullum Sundays for the A’s relocation podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: Shovels scheduled to be in the ground by Spring 2025 for Vegas ballpark

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Athletics owner John Fisher visits with guests at a private party following the controlled implosion of Tropicana Las Vegas on Oct. 9, 2024. The site will be the home of a $1.75 billion baseball stadium. (Jeff Scheid/The Nevada Independent)

On the Sacramento A’s podcast with Daniel:

#1 Daniel A’s executive Sandy Dean produced four documents that the Las Vegas Stadium Authority needed to see to approve moving forward with sewing up the deal that would finance the A’s ballpark on the Las Vegas strip. The A’s have pledged up to $1.5 billion for their share of the construction costs. The cost had increased to $1.75 billion.

# 2 A’s owner John Fisher and his family will be responsible for $1.4 billion of the cost. Dean said that the Fisher family will be able to pay and be committed to meeting those costs.

#3 The Las Vegas Stadium Authority have approved lease, non-relocation, development and community benefits agreements.

#4 Since June 2023 when the A’s announced that they had a binding deal with the Rio in Las Vegas and later relocating to the Tropicana this had been tumultuous relocation for all involved. It’s not the outcome that Oakland fans would have wanted but none the less the A’s have got that much closer to getting shovels in the ground.

#5 Ironically the agreements with the Las Vegas Stadium Authority came on the same day the A’s signed one of their biggest deals with former New York Mets pitcher Luis Severino to a three year $67 million deal.

#6 Daniel looking back on this deal what made it interesting for the A’s was it MLB waving the relocation fee that help persuade the A’s to leave Oakland and the fifth largest market in exchange for moving to baseball’s smallest TV market Las Vegas?

Join Daniel Dullum for the A’s relocation podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s most expensive player; Severino signs 3 year deal worth $67 million

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Former New York Mets pitcher Luis Severino signs with the Sacramento A’s for three years in a deal worth $67 million on Thu Dec 5, 2024 (AP file photo)

A’s most expensive player

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Ex-New York Yankee pitcher Luis Severino agreed to a 3-year, $67 million contract with the Oakland A’s. The A’s made franchise history with their most expensive signing. This surpasses Eric Chávez’s 2004 contract of 6 years and $66 million in 2004.

Severino, a nine-year veteran born in the Dominican Republic, will become the number one starter for the A’s rotation in 2025. Luis Severino’s best season with the Yankees was 2018, when he ended with a 19-8 record and 3.39 ERA, starting 31 games and 191 innings.

Other popular Latino players with the A’s,(Cubans both) José Canseco had a five year contract with Oakland A’s for $23 million and Yoenis Céspedes, who began his career in Oakland, but made all his money later with other teams specially signing a $110 million deal with the New York Mets. He was a very popular player with Oakland A’s fans, but for some inexplicable reason(maybe money) the A’s let him go.

Severino is an  established pitcher who the team hopes can help other younger pitchers to support a good nucleus of young players. Some of those younger position players have been mentioned by other teams, but the A’s want to keep them as a winning group.

The A’s were interested in pitcher Walker Buehler from the LA Dodgers, but according to manager Mark Kotsay, Buehler did not show much interest leaving the World Champion Dodgers going to Sacramento. The deal would surpass the club’s previous most lucrative contract it gave out to Gold Glove third baseman Eric Chavez in 2004

A’s have financial house in order, ready to come up with $1.75 billion for ballpark construction costs

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Las Vegas ballpark rendering. A’s are hoping for completion of stadium in April 2028 opening day. (AP file photo)

By Stephen Ruderman and Jerry Feitelberg

In a meeting Thursday with the Las Vegas Stadium Authority the Sacramento A’s soon to be the Las Vegas A’s in 2028 have come up with the financing of their share of the construction costs to pay for their Tropicana Las Vegas Strip ballpark which should be ready to go opening day 2028.

The Las Vegas Authority is expected to approve a 30 years lease on the A’s non relocation and development that consisted of four documents that should be the last step to clear the way to get shovels in the ground at the intersection of Tropicana and Las Vegas Blvd.

Clark County will continue to discuss a develop agreement otherwise the target to begin groundbreaking in spring 2025. Both Clark County and the State of Nevada are going forward with SB1 public funding for the ballpark at the cost of $380 billion, the A’s say they will spend $350 million to build the 30,000 seat armadillo looking ballpark.

The State of Nevada will not spend the $380 million until the A’s have put in $100 million. So for the A’s have invested $40 million. The deadline to meet the construction costs for the A’s share was due Thursday which they cleared in their meeting with the Stadium Authority.

Sandy Dean an A’s executive whose been a spokesman for owner John Fisher at previous Stadium Authority meetings said that Fisher’s family have increased their construction pledge to $1.1 billion. Dean said that Goldman Sachs and U.S. Bank will loan the A’s $300 million towards the development.

The four documents that Dean presented to the Las Vegas Stadium Authority are: #1 A loan commitment from both banks. #2 Fisher and his family have the ability to meet their financial pledge. #3 The commitments to Athletics StadCo LLC, an entity created to handle the private capital investment. #4 U.S. Bank’s review of the owner’s finances backs up that Fisher has the money in place.

Stephen Ruderman and Jerry Feitelberg cover A’s baseball for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s to present four letters showing they have financing for $1.5 billion Vegas ball park Thursday

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Artists rendering of Athletics Armadillo ballpark at the corner of Las Vegas Blvd and Tropicana in Las Vegas which is scheduled for completion for April 2028 (from artist A’s rendering)

Sacramento A’s relocation podcast with Daniel:

#1 Daniel, the A’s are making a presentation at the Las Vegas Stadium Authority on the due date Thu Dec 5th when they are supposed to come up with their share of construction costs at the tune of $1.5 billion. The A’s will present four letters showing they have the financing available.

#2 This meeting is a big step for the A’s relocation process in their move to Las Vegas this will be the A’s fourth meeting with the Stadium Authority and noted the most important to date.

#3 Amongst the discussions are how the stadium will be constructed, how many years the team will be committed to the park, and what happens if the A’s want to get out of their deal before the 30 years runs out.

#4 The ballpark plans have the A’s constructing their stadium on nine acres of the 35 acre Tropicana on the Las Vegas strip located at the one of the busiest intersections in the world.

#5 The Stadium Authority will reviewing the documents to decide if they can move forward with the project what they will be looking forward as stated, “adequate financial security for the performance of the financial obligations of a developer partner (A’s) for the development and construction of the Major League Baseball stadium project.”

Join Daniel Dullum for the A’s Relocation podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com