Tag: David Kaval

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: NBA coaches say Kings downfall not coach Brown’s fault; Did all the social displeasure put pressure on A’s Kaval?; plus more news

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Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said the firing of Sacramento Kings head coach Mike Brown was shocking and that Brown is one of the standard bearers of coaches in the NBA (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 The Sacramento Kings who fired head coach Mike Brown on Friday certainly fired up a number of NBA head coaches. Knowing Brown’s reputation They felt this firing was not his fault, that the organization didn’t get him the pieces to win, he was the wrong guy to take the blame for the Kings five game losing streak and a foul call that ended up giving the Detroit Pistons a four score for shot for the one point win on Thursday night.

#2 Former A’s team president David Kaval who resigned on Friday was well talked about amongst the media and was remembered for saying once upon a time that the A’s were rooted in Oakland but that quickly changed in June 2023 when Kaval announced that they were headed to Las Vegas and were not reupping at the Oakland Coliseum and playing their interim years in Sacramento. Needless to say Kaval was very unpopular. Do you think public pressure and the huge criticism that he received eventually forced Kaval to resign?

#3. The Las Vegas Raiders who snapped their ten game losing streak against the Jacksonville Jaguars in their last game Sunday 19-14 at Allegiant Stadium. According to at NFL Rumors the Raiders plan to part ways with head coach Antonio Pierce after the last game of the season on Sun Jan 5th when the Raiders conclude their season with the Los Angeles Chargers.

#4 The Golden State Warriors loses continue to pile up as they have lost five of their last seven games and it had head coach Steve Kerr saying regarding his line ups, “I would love to get to a set starting line up. said Kerr. “I’m confident we’ll get there.” No one talks about it but with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green both struggling on offense and defense some are questioning if their getting to the point that their time has come to an end in the NBA?

#5 The San Francisco 49ers have lost five of their last six games losing their most recently to the Miami Dolphins 29-17 at Miami Gardens last Sunday. They lost left tackle Trent Williams for the rest of the season due to a ankle injury, line backer Dre Greenlaw (calf), guard Jaylon Moore (quadriceps), guard Aaron Banks (knee), running back Christian McCaffrey (knee), and Brandon Aiyuk (ACL). With these injuries and one of the toughest teams in the NFL the Detroit Lions (13-2) coming to Levi Stadium for Monday Night Football it could be a long evening for San Francisco?

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts Sundays 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

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: Will players union, Scott Boras sign off to play on artificial turf in Sacramento?

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Sutter Health Field in Sacramento the future interim home of the Athletics for the next three seasons 2025-27

On the Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 Daniel, this is the last week at the Oakland Coliseum for the A’s as they embark for Sacramento after the regular season. It’s been a reunion of sorts with lots of reporters, employees, front office, former players coming to bid the fans and each other a farewell.

#2 Rickey Henderson came out on Saturday to watch his daughter throw out the first ball as the A’s played the New York Yankees. It was a huge treat for fans watching on the field that was named after Rickey.

#3 Some reporters believe the move to Sacramento is a done deal because MLB has approved the move and Sacramento Rivercats are renovating the ball park.

#4 There are those who believe there is that very small chance that the A’s deal in Sacramento will fall apart because of the artificial turf the players do not want to play on. The Players union sill has not signed off on it yet.

#5 On the other side of the coin A’s owner John Fisher, A’s team president David Kaval and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred look very much forward to getting things started and getting the A’s out of Oakland. They do realize that that last step of getting the union to sign off on Sacramento might not be as easy as they think.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Could a Mayor Thao recall get a better Mayor for A’s to work with? Aramark’s employee gag order from media how long will that last?

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Oakland voters are hoping to uproot Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao in a recall. If successful the question is if the Oakland A’s ballpark deal falls apart in Las Vegas can a new Oakland mayor make a new pitch to the A’s to get them to stay and build a park in Oakland? (AP file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commenary podcast:

#1 Food and beverage concessionaires at the Oakland Coliseum have been told in a 99 worded company letter they had better keep their opinions about lay offs, the A’s relocation to Sacramento, or any business related issues regarding Aramark to the media or reporters. Aramark also said that “violations of this policy are subject to discipline up to and including termination.”

#2 Aramark who serves food and beverages to nine Major League Stadiums and is a Forbes Fortune 500 holder and is the 50th largest employer in America. Is the issue of the lay offs a huge concern for Aramark and is putting a muzzle on the Coliseum concession employees a prevention from any negative publicity because of the layoffs after this last season in Oakland for the Aramark employees.

#3 Amaury, Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao could face a recall. Currently Oaklanders are trying to put together a petition drive to get a ballot initiative to get Thao recalled. If successful and its long shot could a new mayor try and get together with the Oakland A’s and try and work something out for a stadium if the Las Vegas deal falls through.

#4 Mayor Thao has surmounting complaints from City of Oakland residents who want her removed because of the firing of Oakland Police Chief LeRonne Armstrong, the huge crime that has forced retailers particularly in downtown Oakland and Chinatown to either fold their businesses or move, and the Airport corridor has seen car break ins and crime at their local restaurants including the high profile In and Out Burger and Denny’s close and shutter their businesses. Now with the recent rent offer by the City of Oakland and the Coliseum Joint Authority of $97 million for the A’s to rent the Coliseum was so inflated that it chased off A’s team president David Kaval who the next day chose to have the A’s play their interim years in Sacramento. Many critics said this was poor handling of business from the City of Oakland and the appearance of gouging on the City’s part.

#5 In the event of a new Oakland Mayor takes over for a recalled Thao that new mayor could call the A’s back to the bargaining table if Vegas were to fall apart and offer the A’s a sweetheart deal. Here is the scenario come back to the Coliseum from Sacramento for $3 million a year. Offer to bridge the gap that the City and A’s were apart on for Howard Terminal and that money some $97 million (sound familiar) and the money will be paid back on taxes on ticket sales and concessions and parking.

#6 The current plan to have the A’s in Sacramento if Las Vegas fails won’t work from the marketing and sponsorship aspect. What works for the NBA Sacramento Kings in advertising might not work for the A’s who will see that money get divided in half when they and if they build a 30,000 seat stadium in Sacramento. The A’s would be playing in the 20th TV market while it’s likely they can get the support but owner John Fisher’s TV revenue will also come down from what he’s getting in Oakland at $70 million versus what he would get in Sacramento around $35 million.

#7 If you follow the money whether it’s in Las Vegas or Sacramento the A’s lose. TV money always rules the day even if the A’s were to get good crowds they leaving Oakland will hurt their pockets by walking away from their $70 million TV contract with NBC California. If Oakland changes it’s mayors maybe the A’s could consider changing their minds.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice at the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Schools over Stadiums in appeals court to stop public funding of A’s Vegas ballpark

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Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas who locked their doors to the public on Apr 2, 2024. This is a look at the outside of the Tropicana on Fri Apr 5, 2024. This is the hopeful site for the A’s to move to by opening day 2028. Schools over Stadiums are seeking to get the Nevada Court of Appeals to approve legal language for their petition drive to get an initiative on the ballot to stop SB1 the public funding of the Tropicana ballpark. Schools over Stadiums if allowed to go forward will need over 102,000 signatures split amongst four Nevada Districts ready by Jun 1, 2024 to the Nevada State register of voters. (photo by Sports Radio Service staff)

On the Oakland podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry, Schools over Stadiums is in the Nevada State of Appeals Court trying to get the language for a petition drive to get an initiative on the state November ballot to stop SB1 public funding for the Tropicana ballpark for the A’s. In appeals court on Wednesday Schools over Stadiums remarks to the court were “John Fisher does not pay his lawyer because he cares about the finer points of constitutional law in Nevada…” and “What this has been about from the beginning is delay, driving up our bills, and keeping this off the ballot.”

#2 NBC reported that Schools over Stadiums also said in court on Wednesday that polling results from Jackson County MO an Emerson Poll that “a majority of Las Vegas voters oppose public money going towards a baseball stadium for the A’s, taxpayers should have the opportunity to vote on where this public money goes.”

#3 Also reported when the A’s president David Kaval turned down the Oakland Coliseum’s five year $97 million offer Kaval said it was above market rate and Oakland Mayor Chief of Staff Leigh Hanson countered saying while the deal was above market rate the city is not receiving parking revenue from the Coliseum, the city gets no cut from concessions from food or beverages and is only getting a small share of the ticket revenue. Kaval then said “this isn’t going to work for us.” Hanson said this isn’t about getting the cheapest deal for you but what is going to work for the city.

#4 Jerry, the national media has been working on this story about Schools over Stadiums being in the Nevada Court of Appeals and there is an indication that if allowed by the court to put the language on the petition drive it could spell trouble for the A’s financing for the Tropicana ballpark could it force John Fisher and David Kaval to possibly return to the table with the City of Oakland or hatch a deal with Sacramento. There could be a legal fight to try and keep the A’s in Oakland that’s a ways down the road right now.

#5 With 76 days left are left on how language on how a ballot initiative will read to stop SB1 the decision will rest in the hands of a seven member Supreme Court. Lawyers from both sides of the argument from the labor union arguing this measure will prevent jobs and have an economic impact on Las Vegas and Nevada. Schools over Stadiums lawyers argued that being the 48th state in education and 49th in class room sizes the $380 million of public money going to a stadium should be going to education and the time is critical to get the petition started.

#6 Jerry deputy executive director of government relations for the NSEA Chris Daly said that time is running out that once the court is to approve the legal language for the ballot initiative that gives Schools over Stadiums just less than 75 days to get these petitions printed and petition gatherers on the ground and start seeking over 102,000 signatures.

Jerry Feitelberg cover the Oakland A’s for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: A’s listening to Sacramento for interim Sutter Health Park possibilities

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Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento home of the San Francisco Giants triple A minor league Sacramento River Cats. The Oakland A’s could call it home starting in the 2025 season if the Rivercats and A’s reach a lease agreement. (photo by visitsacramento.com)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said the Oakland A’s need to get a deal in gear and soon as MLB is pressed to get the schedules ready for the 2025 season by July.

#2 Manfred addressed Tony Clark and the players union to sign off on the A’s playing and using Sutter Health Park a minor league facility in Sacramento because there is not much time left.

#3 The A’s brass of John Fisher and David Kaval are to meet with Sacramento River Cats owner Vivek Ranadive on Wednesday and sources have it that they’ll get a deal done at a much less asking price that the Oakland Coliseum was asking for.

#4 The Coliseum asking price was $17.5 million per season over what the A’s are currently pay at $1.5 million. The Coliseum was asking for $19.4 million per season. Also A’s owner John Fisher would walk away from $70 million in TV money from NBC California.

#5 If the A’s accept the deal on Wednesday this season will mark the final time the A’s will play in Oakland once they leave for Sacramento and later Las Vegas. Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao said “Oakland made a fair and reasonable offer to the A’s. We await their response and look forward to continuing discussions as necessary.” Thao is also facing a recall and a deficit for Oakland’s next fiscal year.

Join Jerry for the Oakland A’s podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg: A’s meet with Coliseum Joint Authority Apr 2; City and A’s looking at $97 million 5 year deal for Coliseum extension

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Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao speaking at the Oakland A’s fan reverse boycott at the Oakland Coliseum on Jun 13, 2023. Thao and the City of Oakland are willing to approve a three year lease extension to the A’s if they are willing to give up their team colors and history plus get an expansion team. Both the A’s brass and the City meet on Apr 2, 2024 to discuss a lease extension. (City of Oakland photo)

Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg:

#1 Augie the Oakland A’s brass will be meeting with the Oakland Coliseum Joint Powers Authority on Tue April 2nd to discuss the A’s trying to extend their lease. They met one time before and it’s the A’s hope they can get a deal with the City of Oakland so they can play their final three years at the Coliseum.

#2 Sacramento has been reportedly the number two settling spot for interim for the A’s if an Oakland Coliseum deal can’t be worked out. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg has said he would welcome the A’s and that Sacramento is ready to be a big league city.

#3 The A’s are hoping to make the Coliseum their final stomping grounds the A’s TV contract with NBC Sports California pays a very generous $70 million a season as long as the Athletics play in Oakland. We know that this is their first choice.

#4 The City of Oakland is making a big ask in order to allow the A’s to finish up at the Oakland Coliseum between 2025-27. The want the team colors and all the A’s history and they want an expansion team when the A’s leave two huge asks that most likely won’t be filled.

#5 The A’s best chance for staying in Oakland may rest with Schools over Stadiums a Nevada group who is trying to appeal to get a petition drive going needing some 102,000 signatures to get an initiative on the Nov 2024 ballot in Nevada to stop the public funding for the A’s Tropicana ballpark does that seem the only window that could stop the A’s from leaving Oakland.

Augie Mesenburg is a MLB podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com/Augie is a reporter for KHAI 103.2 FM Honolulu.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Oakland Mayor’s office talks continue on A’s Coliseum extension; A’s officials look forward to more talks on April 2

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Oakland A’s team president David Kaval meets with the media before the A’s and Milwaukee Brewers pre season game at Las Vegas Ballpark on Fri Mar 8, 2024 (photo by the Nevada Independent)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao’s office said that will not discuss anything further regarding talks between the Mayor’s office and the Oakland A’s officials but did say that they will continue talking regarding the lease extension.

#2 The A’s said the talks were positive and an extension is something they will continue to discuss with the City and plan to meet with the City and Coliseum on April 2. The Oakland Soul and Oakland Roots soccer teams will meet with the Coliseum Authority on Friday to discuss playing at the Coliseum in 2025-26.

#2 According to sports commentator Damon Amendolara saying the A’s moving to Vegas doesn’t fix the A’s problem. It only spoils another good market. DA was saying that he was in town last month for the Super Bowl and said that Vegas is a great sports town but in talking with Vegas fans about the A’s they didn’t want this team to come but they wanted an expansion team.

#3 Last week March 8th and 9th VIPs in a roped off area in front of the first base dugout at Las Vegas Ballpark during batting practice before the exhibition game before the Milwaukee Brewers and Oakland A’s in Las Vegas. Those invited in the roped off area were state and local lawmakers, labor leaders, and anyone responsible for helping make the A’s legislation or otherwise making it possible in getting the public money for the A’s Las Vegas ballpark. Those VIPs were given the opportunity to speak with A’s president David Kaval and team owner John Fisher.

#4 The A’s weekend in Las Vegas gave Fisher the opportunity meet with not only Las Vegas residents and VIPs but also to answer questions from the media which is very rare since Fisher is noted for not giving too many interviews. Fisher was thrilled to be in Vegas the future home of the A’s and wanted to express how pleased he was about the A’s future ballpark for 2028.

#5 Schools over Stadiums is appealing the public funding for the A’s ballpark. They will be in Nevada Appeals Court in April to get approval for the language to go on a petition that will stop the public funding of the A’s Tropicana ballpark. Once they win appeal they will circulate the petition in four Nevada districts and need over 102,000 signatures before June 1st. If that is accomplished they can get the initiative on the Nov 2024 ballot. If the voters vote to stop the public funding for the A’s ballpark in Vegas that should stop the A’s move to Vegas. That unless the A’s can get private money $380 million worth for the missing public funding share.

Join Jerry for the Oakland A’s podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: A’s meeting with Coliseum officials still waiting to be put on the docket

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The Tropicana Hotel and Casino in discussions with the Oakland A’s and the Hotel’s umbrella parent company Gaming and Leisure Properties are hoping to get A’s owner John Fisher’s financial obligation for the construction share settled. The Tropicana will stop taking reservations after the first week of April in preparation of demoing the hotel in April 2025. (photo by the Nevada Independent)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 No date mentioned yet when Oakland A’s team president David Kaval and other A’s officials plan to meet with the Oakland Coliseum Joint Powers to discuss the A’s extension beyond the 2024 season.

#2 The Oakland Roots and Oakland Ballers have expressed serious interest in playing at the Coliseum in 2025 and beyond if the A’s end up playing in Sacramento or Salt Lake City. There is still time to figure this out but the A’s do have first choice if they do plan to extend the lease after this season.

#3 In an interview with NBC Sports California A’s manager Mark Kotsay said he would never tell his player’s what to say when they are questioned by the media about the move to Las Vegas or the stadium designs or whether they prefer Vegas or Oakland.

#4 A’s owner John Fisher financing for Tropicana park: Fisher’s part of the construction costs are as follows, the A’s need construction plans and a timeline for the FAA as the park’s lighting and layout will front the Las Vegas Airport, private financing and development plans, a lease agreement, and a benefits package to present to the Las Vegas community.

#5 Amaury in your view are the A’s any closer to moving to Las Vegas than they were when the Nevada State Legislature had approved the public funding back in June. Do you see any road blocks here in March that could interfere with the A’s leaving Oakland?

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com