That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Will $1.8 billion loss force MLB to shutdown/lockout in 2027?

New York Mets Juan Soto (22) slugs a three run home run in the fourth inning as Washington Nationals catcher Jorge Alfaro (left) watches at Citi Field in New York on Fri Sep 19, 2025. Soto is the highest paid player on the Mets. The Mets claim they lost $350 million because of their $342 million payroll in the 2025 season. (AP file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

  1. How much of the $1.8 billion loss is due to player payroll, especially on high-spending teams?
    • For example, the Mets reportedly lost ~$350 million, largely driven by their $342 M payroll.
  2. Did declining or restructuring media revenue contribute significantly to the losses?
    • Around 25% of team revenue comes from media, and teams have reportedly struggled to replace traditional regional sports network (RSN) deals.
    • Also, MLB and ESPN mutually ended their $550M/year deal early, which could have left a big revenue gap.
  3. How much of the loss is “paper accounting” versus real cash-flow problems?
    • Some insiders suggest these losses are accounting losses — not necessarily indicative of a decline in franchise value.
  4. Is there a structural imbalance in MLB’s economics ( lack of salary cap, uneven revenue sharing) that exacerbates these losses?
    • MLB is reportedly considering a salary cap, which could indicate that current spending is unsustainable.
    • Wealth disparities between big-market and small-market teams may be playing a role.
  5. Are there longer-term strategic choices or risks ( media strategy, labor uncertainty) that could be contributing to the losses?
    • With media rights changing and ESPN opting out, MLB’s future broadcast deals may be less lucrative.
    • Also, potential labor issues loom: owners are discussing a salary cap ahead of the collective bargaining agreement expiring in 2026.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB Ford C. Frick Award must go to René Cárdenas

Rene Cardenas Spanish broadcaster who is in the Houston Astros Hall of Fame is vying for a shot at the Ford C Frick Award and a spot in the MLB Cooperstown Hall of Fame (photo by the Houston Chronicle)

MLB Ford C. Frick Award must go to René Cardenas

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

The Ford C. Frick Award for Broadcasters is presented annually to one winner. The winner of the 2026 award will be announced on December 10, 2025, at baseball’s Winter Meetings in Orlando, Florida. They will then be formally honored during the 2026 Hall of Fame Weekend in Cooperstown, NY.

I have recently written to MLB regarding the Ford C. Frick Award and have fully endorsed my good friend, colleague, and veteran Spanish-language pioneer broadcaster, René Cárdenas, who was the first Spanish-language announcer in Major League Baseball in 1958 with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The nominees for the 2026 Ford C. Frick Award are: René Cárdenas, Skip Carey, Tom Hamilton, Ernie Johnson Sr, Mike Krukow, Duane Kuiper, Dave Sims, and John Sterling. When I was broadcasting for the Giants, the Giants asked me to call my mentor and broadcaster, Rafael (Felo) Ramírez, who had already won the Ford Frick Award, and ask him to vote for Jon Miller of the Giants, who then won it (2010).

René Cárdenas (born February 6, 1930) is a Nicaraguan-born sports journalist and announcer. He currently lives in Houston, Texas. In 1958, as a pioneer for the Dodgers he called the games from a studio in Pasadena while listening to the English broadcast by Vin Scully, and translated the action for the Spanish-speaking market.

When I was broadcasting for the Giants, the Giants asked me to call my mentor and broadcaster, Rafael (Felo) Ramírez, who had already received the Ford Frick Award, to ask him to vote for Jon Miller of the Giants, who then won, it was 2010.

Giants Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow are among the nominees; they are good broadcasters and good people. In the 1990s, while Hank Greenwald was the Giants’ pbp announcer, I remember Duane Kuiper broadcasting some games from a small tape recorder in his hands; he was rehearsing for what would be his first MLB broadcast for the Giants.

He took over after Hank Greenwald and has been the Giants’ pbp man ever since. Regarding my friend René Cárdenas, who is 95 years young, he deserves to win this Award. It is about time Major League Baseball recognizes him as a Spanish-language announcer in the country, a pioneer.

To date, only three Spanish announcers have won the Ford C. Frick Award: Buck Canel, Jaime Jarrin, and Rafael (Felo) Ramírez. I have worked with Jaime and Felo during postseasons for the Latino Broadcasting Network in the US, together with Cadena Caracol for Latin America .

Between 50 and 60 million people speak Spanish in the US, making the U.S. the country with the second-largest Spanish-speaking population in the world, right after México’s 130 million citizens. In 1958, when René Cárdenas began broadcasting, there was not nearly as large a Spanish population as there is today, which has become the largest minority in the United States.

In Houston, the Astros honored Mr. Cardenas and inducted him into their Hall of Fame. He also once broadcast for the Houston Colt 45s. Interestingly enough, when I got my first break in MLB broadcasting, it was a few years after the Oakland A’s won three consecutive World Series (72-73-74), when Carl Finley informed me that Charlie had given him his OK to broadcast in Spanish for the Oakland Athletics.

Yes, Charlie Finley was a controversial owner, but also an innovative and revolutionary owner who did something only the New York Yankees have done to date: win three consecutive World Series. My first MLB game was with the A’s, and my last one was also with the A’s in 2024, the last year they were called the Oakland A’s.

I used to speak on the telephone with René, who always gave me great advice. The last time I spoke with René Cardenas in person was in 2009, Miami, Florida, when I was spending a few days at Miami Beach (my old stomping grounds as a kid).

He still had a great sense of humor as we spoke about what he called “the good old days” when he was behind the microphone. We also reminisce about when he was visiting Candlestick Park working for the Dodgers, but Jaime Jarrin did not make the trip with the team, because of a family emergency.

René (who was doing a solo) asked me to give him a hand, so I did, calling a few innings with him on the Dodgers Spanish Radio Network. It is time Major League Baseball recognizes René Cárdenas with the Ford C. Frick Broadcasters Award, while he is alive.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary:Bay Area and Los Angeles Area Sports Rivalry

The Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers face each other at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles on Tue Nov 25, 2025. Los Angeles is a two team NBA market. (images from reddit.com)

Bay Area and Los Angeles Area Sports Rivalry

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

These two most populous areas of California have an interesting sports rivalry, especially in professional sports leagues. Let’s take a look at recent success stories for these two California sports regions. We are looking at the four most popular Professional leagues in the country. NFL, MLB, NBA. NHL. Looking a respective titles for each league.

Bay Area: Golden State Warriors won the NBA title in 2022. The San Francisco Giants won the MLB World Series in 2014, and the San Francisco 49ers won the NFL Super Bowl in 1995, their fifth consecutive Super Bowl title during their 1990s dynasty.

In Baseball, the last time the San Francisco Giants won the World Series was in 2014. In the NHL, the San José Sharks have never won the Stanley Cup; however, they did reach the 2016 Stanley Cup Final and lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The last title for the Los Angeles area was the Los Angeles Dodgers’ win in the 2025 MLB World Series. The Los Angeles Rams won Super Bowl LVI in 2022. The LA Lakers won the NBA title in 2020.

Present: As of today, the LA Area is doing much better than the San Francisco Bay Area.

The Dodgers won the last World Series, as mentioned above. The other two teams, the Rams and the Lakers, are well-positioned to win a title this season.

The Rams, as of today, are leading the NFC West with a 9-2 record, the 49ers occupying third-place with7-4 record. While the Lakers are among the top teams in the NBA Western Conference. The Lakers are in second place behind the Thunder, but it is very early, with over 60 games left for most teams in the NBA. The other team in MLB, the Dodgers, already won the World Series, their second in a row. In MLB, the San Francisco Giants finished 81-81, in third place.

NHL. In the National Hockey League, the Southland’s two teams, the LA Kings and Anaheim Ducks, are not expected to compete for a title this season. Here in the Bay Area, our NHL team, the San José Sharks, although so far showing improvement, is also not considered a team with a good chance of making the playoffs. In the history of these NHL Franchises, the LA-Anaheim Area has the clear lead, with the LA Kings winning two Stanley Cups in 2012 and 2014, and the Anaheim Ducks winning one Stanley Cup in 2007.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s Pouring Cement in Las Vegas as the Betrayal continues

Former Oakland A’s president David Kaval in 2016 touted how the A’s would build a new ballpark at Howard Terminal near Jack London Square in Oakland. In 2023 Kaval announced the team would move to Las Vegas and later resigned his position with the A’s. ( photo from Forbes)

A’s Pouring Cement in Las Vegas as the Betrayal continues

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

For Oakland A’s fans, this pouring of cement at their under-construction new location in Las Vegas feels like the Mafia burying them in cement. In my opinion, a relocation that did not have to happen. The Oakland media market is ranked in the Top 10 US markets by Nielsen ratings, while Las Vegas, Nevada, is ranked 40th.

In baseball terms, that is like comparing a .330 hitter in Oakland to a .220 hitter in Las Vegas. But…no problem, “pour more cement” says one guy smoking a Havana at the Tropicana location.. In the late 1950s, Brooklyn Dodgers fans felt a sense of abandonment and loss when they moved to Los Angeles, much as New York Giants fans felt heartbroken and betrayed when they moved to San Francisco in 1958.

The story of the Oakland A’s is in some way similar to that of the two New York teams. Especially because the Dodgers and Giants left New York primarily because of a stadium situation. In New York, with the city planner Robert Moses, plus also financial opportunities in untapped markets in California.

The difference is that California was indeed a huge untapped market for Major League Baseball, offering a great opportunity for these teams. Does anybody believe Las Vegas is like Los Angeles or Oakland-San Francisco? In mid-November 2016, the Oakland A’s named Dave Kaval President of the Oakland Athletics. Kaval would come into our Spanish radio booth at the Oakland Coliseum and talk about the new ballpark for the A’s in Oakland, although he did not speak Spanish, we translated very clear and remember when Kaval would tell us/radio audience: “the new A’s park would be next to the bay, a beautiful setting, just like the Giants across the bay.”

He visited many times to “update us” on the new A’s Oakland ballpark; he spoke of it ad nauseam. A good friend who is a huge baseball fan described Mr Kaval to me simply like this: “he is a weasel”. Before 1958, California had several professional minor league baseball teams, such as the San Francisco Seals in the PCL, where young players like Joe DiMaggio and his brother, Vin DiMaggio, played.

Also, here in California, the great Ted Williams played professional baseball years before the Dodgers and Giants arrived in the Golden State. The Hollywood Stars were a rival of the LA Angels. My father-in-law, (Joe)Clardy, played in the early 1950s for the Las Vegas Wranglers.. which was the only professional baseball team in Las Vegas.

The SF Giants released a statement after the A’s relocation to Las Vegas was announced, calling the move a “loss for all baseball fans” The team acknowledged the A’s as a “big part of Bay Area baseball history” and expressed sadness over the potential departure of their East Bay rivals.

Well, the San Francisco Giants were among all the 30 teams that voted to have the A’s leave Oakland. Like the famous line from The Godfather is ‘It’s not personal. It’s strictly business,” delivered by Michael Corleone and also by Salvatore Tessio.

Note: Currently, the smallest Major League Baseball stadium is Progressive Field in Cleveland with a capacity of 34,830. A’s in Las Vegas is projected to have 33,000 seats, making it the smallest in MLB. It took three months to film the movie “Viva Las Vegas” with Elvis, which also featured some scenes at The Tropicana.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: How will MLB control gambling in the sport?; Qualifying offers and reshaping free agency; plus more news

Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz leaves a Brooklyn federal courthouse Wed Nov 12, 2025 who is facing indictment charges for throwing certain pitches and taking bribes. (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 What are the biggest implications of the indictment of Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz for MLB’s integrity and its efforts to police gambling?

#2 With the deadline Tuesday to accept or reject qualifying offers, which players (like Kyle Schwarber) are most likely to decline, and how will that reshape the free-agent market?

#3 How significant is Shohei Ohtani’s unanimous NL MVP and Aaron Judge’s AL MVP win this year — particularly because they’re back-to-back, a historic first?

#4 What could be the long-term impact of the Astros’ Minute Maid Park being rebranded to Daikin Park, both from a business/sponsorship standpoint and for fan perception?

#5 What strategies should teams prioritize now as the offseason really ramps up (with owners’ meetings, free agency, non-tender decisions) to position themselves for the 2026 season?

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: From My Baseball Notebook: Bartolo Colón superstitions and retirement at 50

Former New York Met pitcher Bartolo Colon threw out the first pitch before the Colorado Rockies and New York Mets Sun May 7, 2025 at Citi Field in Flushing NY. Colon had superstitions while playing baseball and retired at 50 years old from baseball. (AP News file photo)

From my Baseball Notebook: Bartolo Colón superstition and retirement at 50

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The 2025 season is history, and the Dodgers won their second consecutive World Series. If you miss baseball already, I have some good news for you from one of my old baseball notebooks.

Bartolo Colón was one of the most superstitious Latino players that I’ve ever met. For this Dominican, his superstition was to mold the chewing gum into different shapes, sometimes into a small ball, and to insert into his glove before going to the mound.

One per game, before each game.. This became well known among his teammates, but there was no violation of any regulations because he inserted the chewing gum ball inside his glove, not outside. It could not be seen by any camera.

Bartolo pitched for 21 years in the Major Leagues until he was 50 years of age. He pitched for a total of 11 different teams, including the Oakland A’s at 39 years old. When he arrived in 2012. I spoke to this quirky and smart baseball player numerous times, before and after games; he was always cordial, insightful, and at times very funny.

In his first season with the A’s, during Spring Training in Arizona, he was in the dugout next to Cuban rookie Yoenis Céspedes; he helped Yoenis communicate because Yoenis spoke very little English. But he was always playing pranks and cranking jokes, sometimes Yoenis would put his hands up in the air and say “Oye chico tú eres comendiante ó pitcher” trans- “Hey man, are you a comedian or a pitcher?”

Bartolo once told me, “Pienso retirarme a los 60 años”. trans- “I am thinking of retiring at 60. He was 10 years short on his prediction, and he said Adiós to the game at 50! He always said he lasted this long because he enjoyed the game very much, loved working hard on his craft, and valued his friendships with other players. With the A’s, he especially enjoyed tutoring the younger pitchers.

At the beginning of his career, Bartolo regularly hit 95+ mph on his fastball. Toward the end of his career, control was his trademark, yet he remained a very efficient pitcher.

He was colorful and had a good reputation, and he won 247 games during his excellent career. In 2005, when he was a pitcher with the Cleveland Indians, he won the Cy Young Award as the American League’s best pitcher. In 2016, as a testament to his character, Bartolo won the “Joe DiMaggio Toast of the Town” Award given by the New York Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Hitting: Bartolo Colón hit his one career home run at Petco Park in San Diego on May 7, 2016, as a pitcher for the New York Mets. He hit it off pitcher James Shields, a two-run shot in the top of the second inning, and at 42 years and 349 days old, he became the oldest player to hit his first major league home run.

Career accomplishment. The Latino pitcher with the most wins in Major League Baseball is Bartolo Colón, who retired with 247 wins. The Dominican-born pitcher played for 21 seasons across 11 different teams before retiring at the end of the 2018 season. His 247 wins are two more than Dennis Martímnez (245) and four more than Hall of Famer Juan Marichal (243)

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: A’s Kurtz and Braves Baldwin Rookies of the Year; Guardians Ortiz and Clase up on charges of taking bribes; plus more news

Sacramento A’s Nick Kurtz is congratulated in the Sacramento dugout after slugging a two home run against the Cincinnati Reds at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Sun Sep 14, 2025. Kurtz was voted as the AL Rookie of the Year on Mon Nov 10, 2025. (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Sacramento A’s first baseman Nick Kurtz was selected as the unanimous choice as the American League Rookie of the Year award winner. The National League winner was Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin MLB said on Monday night.

#2 Cleveland Guardians pitcher Luis Ortiz showed up in federal court on Monday on charges that said he and teammate Emmanuel Clase were taking bribes set up in their native Dominican Republic in order to win bets based on pitches they threw.

#3 How bad does it have to get in MLB as bookies, sportsbooks and established betting parlors are now restricted to a $200 limit on betting on individual pitches and bets prohibited would be in parlays that will decrease any chances of manipulation according to MLB on Monday.

#4  Chicago Cubs right hand pitcher Kyle Hendricks won the ERA title and a World Series championship during his illustrious 12 year Major League career has announced his retirement. Hendricks, 35 finished his final season with the Los Angeles Angels with a 8-10 and a 4.76 ERA. Hendricks played his first 11 years with the Cubs.

#5 The San Francisco Giants brought back former manager Bruce Bochy as special advisor for both the baseball and business sides. Bochy had managed the Giants for 28 season as a MLB manager. Giants president Buster Posey hoping that Bochy can help get the Giants pointed back in the right direction as Bochy was hired on Monday.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

  

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Cleveland Guardians Pitchers Indicted for Gambling

Cleveland Guardian pitcher Luis Ortiz works the count on the Minnesota Twins line up at Progressive Field in Cleveland on April 30, 2025 (AP News photo)

Cleveland Guardians Pitchers Indicted for Gambling

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

When it comes to betting in professional sports, it looks like when it rains, it pours”. Now it’s MLB time. Just a few weeks ago, the FBI revealed its investigation into some NBA players and a coach of gambling during games, resulting in indictments and arrests of the defendants.

Now is Cleveland Guardians pitcher Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortíz turn who were indicted on charges of alleged gambling misconduct, manipulating bets on individual pitches. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York, announced the indictment on Sunday at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn.

Ortíz was arrested in Boston for alleged gambling misconduct, specifically manipulating bets on individual pitches. Emmanuel Clase, the closer for the Guardians, was not in custody as of Sunday, when the charges were announced and the indictment unsealed.

The Department of Justice has charged the pair with wire fraud conspiracy, honest services wire fraud conspiracy, conspiracy to influence sporting contests by bribery, and money laundering conspiracy.

This is a developing story, and it is just in the top of the first inning…

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Darryl Strawberry – Story of Redemption –

Darryl Strawberry as a San Francisco Giant in 1994 the only year he played in San Francisco (photo from Photos of Legends)

Darryl Strawberry – Story of Redemption –

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Darryl Strawberry was pardoned by President Trump for his 1995 federal tax evasion conviction. The pardon covers his plea of guilty to tax fraud, though it does not apply to his separate state-level drug-related charges.

The reason being the pardon, according to the White House statement, is that Strawberry served time and paid back the taxes owed after his conviction, and has since become active in ministry and maintained sobriety for over a decade.

Strawberry Ministries, founded by Darryl and Tracy Strawberry, is a ministry in St. Peter, Missouri. It involves speaking at correctional facilities, men’s retreats, plus other events and stories they share of personal transformation and recovery from addiction.

The ministry’s mission is to empower individuals and families through faith in Jesus Christ. Strawberry is a good man, he was a very good player, good with teammates, fans, and media alike.

His career baseball statistics include a .259 batting average,335 home runs, 1,000 RBIs, 221 stolen bases in 17 major league seasons, including the National League 1983 Rookie of the Year, 8-time All Star who played for the Mets, Dodgers, Yankees, and Giants.

He played right field and hit in the fifth position during the 1986 All-Star Game at Astrodome, Houston. A game I had the pleasure of covering. Redemption includes forgiveness of sins, freedom from sin, and reconciliation with God.

Congratulations to Darryl Strawberry on his well-deserved pardon. His career was marked by both great success and personal struggles with addiction and legal issues, but he has since found faith and is now an ordained minister Congratulations to Darryl Strawberry.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary:San Jose Earthquakes Soccer team is still for sale — And the Potential world Stoppage in Baseball

The San Jose Earthquakes and Pay Pal Park are both up for sale by Quakes owner John Fisher for a cool $600 million (photo of Pay Pay Park by Arch Key Solutions)

San Jose Earthquakes Soccer team is still for sale — And the Potential world Stoppage in Baseball.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

SAN JOSE–According to Forbes, the San José Earthquakes are valued at approximately $540 million, while Sportico values them at $600 million. The team for sale by John Fisher, owner of the once Oakland A’s, now playing temporarily in Sacramento.

The Quakes is officially on the market, with Fisher hiring an investment bank to handle the sale of a controlling share of the club. Fisher bought the team in 2007 for $20 million.

The top-valued team in Major League Soccer is LAFC (Los Angeles Fútbol Club) at $1.28 billion, followed by Inter Miami, LA Galaxy, Atlanta United, and New York City FC. The valuations of the top teams are much higher, with LAFC leading the league at $1.28 billion, followed by Inter Miami, LA Galaxy, Atlanta United, and New York City FC.

The original cost of the 33,000-seat Las Vegas A’s baseball park, $1.5 billion, is now expected to exceed $2 billion. It increased due to rising construction costs and detailed planning. Cost overruns are not unique to baseball stadiums; they are a frequent issue in almost any large construction project.

Could the potential MLB work stoppage be an obstacle for the A’s Las Vegas baseball park? Considering a potential work stoppage is expected for the 2026-27 season, it could not only halt the A’s Las Vegas project but also kill the Major League Baseball season.

The owners want a salary cap, but the union opposes it. What else is new? The baseball owners and the players’ union are like the two main political parties in Washington. The collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association expires on December 1, 2026. There is a lot at stake, and this could be a long work stoppage.

Note: There have been nine work stoppages in Major League Baseball (MLB) history, which include both player strikes and owner lockouts. The most recent Major League Baseball (MLB) work stoppage was a lock out inititated by the team owners, which lasted 99 days from Decemvber 2, 2021, to March 10,2022