Tag: Gov Joe Lombardo

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Does Anybody Care about the A’s in Sacramento?

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The Sacramento A’s have not sold out a game yet in the 2025 season since their home opener on Mon Mar 31, 2025. Sutter Health Park’s capacity is 14,014 the A’s highest season attendance is 12,119 at the home opener. (tripvisor.com photo)

Does Anybody Care about the A’s in Sacramento?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Let’s say you have your eyes on that brand new car you dream of, and you are “almost sure” you are going to buy it in 2028 because you just put your other car (Soccer Team)for sale, but in the meantime, you need another vehicle.

For the A’s owner, West Sacramento Sutter Health Park, it’s like leasing an Avis car for a couple of years, hoping to buy a brand-new car in a few years in Las Vegas. You do not care much for maintaining the Avis lease; you are only interested in being practical, since you are not going to buy it anyway.

Sacramento’s 15 minutes of Major League fame have been cut to 5 minutes, all the hype a month before the season was more “sizzle than steak:”, in the stadium, they call it “all foam no beer” and in the cattle areas of California, “All hat no cattle”.

The A’s announced in January that Opening Day tickets were sold out, despite offering $25 lawn seats the night of the game. The team announced a sold-out crowd of 12,119 fans at the home opener. However, team officials said Sutter Health Park’s total capacity is 13,416.

The Oakland A’s fans in Sacramento (the number is unknown) are disappointed by the team’s temporary move to Sutter Health Park, expressing feelings of betrayal and a sense of disconnection from the team in its new temporary home.

They miss the Oakland atmosphere and feel the team is not embracing Sacramento. Some Sacramento fans, however, are excited to have a Major League team in their city, even if it’s just for a temporary period, but the team also couldn’t care less about Sacramento.

To the best of my knowledge, the A’s are not even recognized by the Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, or the Sacramento Asian Chamber of Commerce. Neither did the A’s approach them.

However, if you’re interested, you can still follow the A’s games in Sacramento on sportsradioservice.com, which covers all the team’s day-to-day activities with reporters in the Sacramento area.

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.

@Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

http://goaquaadventure.com

A’s Relocation podcast Rich Perez: Shovels in the ground; How crucial is the Earthquakes sale to raise stadium money?

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Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, from left, Major League Baseball Commissioner Manfred, A’s owner John Fisher and Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority President and CEO Steve Hill watch a video during a groundbreaking ceremony for the Athletics $1.75 billion Strip ballpark at the site of the former Tropicana Las Vegas Monday, June 23, 2025. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

On the A’s Relocation podcast with Rich Perez:

#1 Lots speeches made at the Sacramento A’s and future Las Vegas A’s ground breaking at the former Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

#2 Amongst some of the speakers John Fisher who stated that he was excited to get this far to having shovels in the ground and that he thanked MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred for help making the relocation of the A’s a reality.

#3 Fisher was asked about the sale of his MLS soccer team the San Jose Earthquakes and how that sale will make the difference in paying for the new A’s Las Vegas stadium and help make up for Fisher’s share of the construction costs at $1.75 billion.

#4 Was there any questions raised regarding regret that the A’s had left Oakland or was this a total turn the page event and it was never brought up and it’s onto the next step in developing the Las Vegas ballpark and bringing Major League Baseball.

#5 Manfred had a chance to speak and wanted address what he wanted in getting the A’s a new ballpark something he had been working on since he took over as baseball commissioner.

Rich Perez is a Las Vegas podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum: Set your alarm clocks A’s will break ground at 8AM Monday Jun 23rd in Vegas

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This image shows a rendering of the baseball club’s proposed stadium in Las Vegas. AP photo

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 Daniel, the Athletics groundbreaking will be held at the old Tropicana Casino and Hotel on Monday June 23 at 8:00AM. Some question the time of the ribbon cutting being unusually early by press conference standards.

#2 Some said it could be a tactic to keep the amount of press away that will ask about A’s owner John Fisher’s construction costs and if he paid his share of the $1.75 billion yet?

#3 Do you look at this groundbreaking as a closer step to getting the stadium constructed or is this ceremony being done to keep the pressure off of the Las Vegas Stadium Authority when questioned when are there going to be shovels in the ground.

#3 A’s president Mark Badain said that construction for the Vegas ballpark started back in April and the A’s wanted to make Mon Jun 23rd ribbon cutting a celebration for the A’s and local officials.

#4 VIPs expected to attend the groundbreaking Mon Jun 23rd, A’s owner John Fisher, Badain, Las Vegas Stadium Authority president Steven Hill, Nevada State Legislature, members of the Clark County Commission and Governor Joe Lombardo.

#5 The Stadium Authority report says the construction of the park will take 32 months and is expected to be ready opening day 2028.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Schools over Stadiums makes its point as Nevada prepares to spend public money for Warner Bros studios

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Las Vegas Stadium Authority CEO Steve Hill (left) and Oakland A’s president David Kaval (right) are seen discussing the Las Vegas Ballpark in 2023 (LV Sports Biz file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 According to Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo said that parents should see his open letter about free school meals. Lombardo is trying to show that the state is doing something with public money to help schools at the same time using public money for the A’s ballpark.

#2 On Tuesday Schools over Stadiums representative Alexander Marks said that while Lombardo claims he’s transparent then why does he refuse speak to the press about the free school meals budget when they’ve asked for public comment proves the point that the State of Nevada and the Lombardo are not being transparent.

#3 Also on Tuesday it was announced that a Nevada judge will rule if it’s legal to earmark $380 million in public funds to help fund the Las Vegas A’s ballpark on Las Vegas Blvd and Tropicana.

#4 Marks writes on X Tuesday that if the State of Nevada were to a write movie about having a fully funded school system with 20 students per class it would be a like a rated F movie that requires billionaires to build their own studios without public money after news broke that Warner Bros wants to build studios in Vegas if the Nevada State Legislature approves a film tax for the studios. More public money being used for studios and stadiums instead of public schools.

#5 Marks also mentioned Las Vegas Stadium Authority CEO Steven Hill in last week’s meeting regarding the financial progress of the A’s paying for their share of the ballpark that “We’re rounding third and headed for home. There are not many open issues left.” Marks countered by writing on Schools over Stadiums X page, “Except for financing, final renderings, actual stadium location, the constitutional lawsuit, the 2026 referendum…yup very few open issues left”

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

Oakland A’s podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Senate passes A’s ballpark bill 13-8; Assembly to vote next; A’s fans reverse boycott at Coliseum

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Las Vegas A’s Tropicana Hotel and Casino Ballpark near the Las Vegas Strip under the lights (Renderings from the Oakland A’s)

On the A’s podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

The Nevada State Senate passed SB1 the Oakland A’s ballpark at Tropicana Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip worth $380 million in tax credits. The next step is the 42 person Nevada Assembly who could take a vote as early as tonight and if that were to happen they’d send the bill to Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo’s desk.

The passing of the bill comes at the same time as the A’s fans reverse boycott a protest to show that the A’s fans are not the fault for the A’s having no choice to move. The chances now minimal that the A’s and Mayor Sheng Thao will come back to the table to negotiate a deal for Howard Terminal.

The mood at the Oakland Coliseum on Tuesday night was melancholy as A’s fans who were waring their green “Sell” shirts but from the looks of things that A’s owner John Fisher is not selling the team soon but just about to move them out of Oakland.

The new park in Las Vegas could see the start of construction as soon as 2024 and the project would be finished as late as 2029. The ballpark is to be built on nine acres with a retractable roof and home plate is facing the Las Vegas Airport and the renderings show that home plate faces the strip.

The MLB owners are scheduled to vote on the A’s relocation after Governor Lombardo signs SB1 bill and the MLB owners vote could be before Jun 15th this week. The A’s who were questioned about their community fund raising during the Nevada Assembly team vice president Catherine Aker said the A’s spent $1.1 million in community fund efforts in Oakland and hope to do more community fund drives in Las Vegas.

Join Stephen Ruderman Tuesdays for the MLB podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB podcast with Charlie O: Big payroll Padres continue to struggle; Brewers Adames out of hospital on 10 day IL for concussion; plus more

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San Diego Padres Michael Wacha pitches during first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York on Sat May 27, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the MLB podcast with Charlie O:

#1 The San Diego Padres (24-28) who took another loss on Saturday to the New York Yankees at Yankees Stadium, the Padres had big expectations this year but even with Fernando Tatis Jr, Juan Soto, and Manny Machado the Padres are holding down fourth place in the NL West still there a lot of the season to make that payroll payoff.

#2 During a game against the San Francisco Giants on Friday night at American Family Park the Milwaukee Brewers Willy Adames just avoided suffering fractures when he was sitting the dugout and was struck by teammate Brian Anderson that struck him in the head. Brewers manager Craig Counsell said that was a scary moment. Adames has been released from the hospital is in good spirits and is on the 10 IL for concussion protocols.

#3 Yankees manager Aaron Boone who has been kicked out of three of the last ten games said the last ejection was a weird experience. Last Thursday against the Baltimore Orioles Boone was arguing a third strike call and lost it when umpire Edwin Moscoso turned his back to him. It got heated and Crew chief Chris Guccione had to step in between them. Boone who had spittle came out of his mouth towards Moscoso’s direction ended up being suspended by MLB Sr Supervisor VP of on field operations Michael Hill after reviewing it Thursday night.

#4 There was damage control for the Los Angeles Dodgers who uninvited the Sisters of Perpetual who are a drag group who serve as a charity, protest and satirical performance were reinvited on Jun 16th after being disinvited. The Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw tweeted out that the Dodgers will be hosting a “Christian and Faith Night” at Dodger Stadium on Jul 30th. Can you talk a little about the politics of this situation.

#5 Charlie the Nevada State Legislature will have a chance to vote on the Oakland A’s Tropicana ballpark. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo said that the ballpark tax credits in the neighborhood of $180 million won’t pass unless their a is budget passed for the state. State Legislature Democrats say they won’t for the resolution for the ballpark because that puts taxpayers at risk if the A’s fail to profit once the park is complete. But as you know what’s said up front is different than what’s negotiated behind closed doors.

Join Charlie O for the MLB podcast Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Vegas Renderings take on some looks of Oakland Coliseum

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Artist rendering of Tropicana Ballpark in Las Vegas in night game mode at the cost of $1.5 billion and the smallest venue in MLB with 30,000 seats near the Vegas strip (image from the Oakland Athletics)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, the renderings are out on the Las Vegas A’s new ballpark. It’s a circular looking park that take on the shape of the original Oakland Coliseum but with much less seating 30,000 the smallest park in MLB. The park has a arch above it and it looks like a see through room that would be retractable.

#2 Home plate face the Las Vegas Airport and the park is subject to FAA approval due to lighting and height when planes land and take off.

#3 The renderings of the field show that there’s lots of foul territory similar to that of the Oakland Coliseum

#4 Nevada and Clark County are committing to $380 million towards the park, $180 million in tax credits and $120 million from Clark County in issued bonds.

#5 That said Amaury how hard will this be for many of the current and former players, the fans, the jobs, that will be left behind in Oakland?

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead broadcast talent on the Oakland A’s Spanish Network on 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 1010 KIQI Pittsburg and Amaury does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: What the tentative agreement between A’s and State of Nevada on ballpark mean

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Tropicana Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas site of a 30,000 seat ballpark for the Oakland A’s. The home plate towards the outfield will be facing the Las Vegas Airport (photo by KSNV 3 TV Las Vegas)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 The Oakland A’s took another step closer to getting the working for their $1.5 billion ballpark reality as the A’s and the major players in Nevada government have reached tentative agreement. There were no details on what numbers the state or Clark County would be on the hook for?

#2 The power of the government are at hand in making the millions of dollars part of that reality, Governor Joe Lombardo, legislative representatives, Clark County, the Nevada State Treasurer, took the step to make sure they put a financial plan together to get the tax credits lined up in a row.

#3 Jerry, bill language needs to be put together and get passed in the legislature and this needs to be put together before the June 5th deadline. No doubt the legislatures want to get this sorted out before they go on their one year hiatus.

#4 A’s president David Kaval said he’s thrilled about the support he got from the state and Clark County saying , “We look forward to advancing this legislation in a responsible way,” 

#5 Gov Lombardo said that the cost of the stadium would be 25% less of the public financing of the proposal, the Tropicana a retractable roof park would be the third lowest financed park of the 14 MLB ballparks built this century.

Jerry does the Oakland A’s podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Nevada Governor announces agreement to bring A’s to Vegas

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Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo waves to the crowd shorty after he was inaugurated governor in Jan 2023. Lombardo announced on Wed May 24, 2023 that the State of Nevada and the Oakland A’s have reached an agreement to finance a 30,000 seat ballpark at the Tropicana Casino and Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip (Las Vegas Review Journal file photo)

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

The Las Vegas Culinary Union has assured it’s working staff if the Oakland A’s and the State of Nevada will have union protected jobs at the Tropicana Casino and Resort. The Culinary Union is the strongest union in Vegas and they are assured union paying jobs as the Tropicana plans to build another tower across the street from the ballpark. The old tower will be torn down and the newer tower will be part of the square block with the A’s who will have their ballpark on nine acres of land.

Nevada governor Joe Lombardo announced on Wednesday a tentative agreement between the A’s and the State of Nevada a bill that will go forward to the Nevada Legislature that would bring Major League Baseball to Las Vegas. “The agreement follows month of negotiations between the state, the county, and the A’s and I believe it gives us a tremendous opportunity to continue building on the professional sports infrastructure of Southern Nevada.” said Lombardo.

The agreement will be drafted into legislation and later will be introduced to the Nevada State Legislature that will allow the public and lawmakers to debate over the project. Las Vegas A’s team president David Kaval said “We’re very appreciative of the support from the State of Nevada and Clark County leadership. We want to thank Governor Lombardo the Legislative leadership, the treasurer, and Clark County Commissioners and staff on the collaborative process. We look forward to advancing this legislation in a responsible way.”

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Las Vegas Casinos give Full Support to A’s

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Southwest corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Avenue on the Las Vegas Strip the proposed new location for an Oakland A’s new ballpark (photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

Las Vegas Casinos give Full Support to A’s

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Oakland A’s owner John Fisher and President Dave Kaval made another trip to Las Vegas, trying to select their site to build a new stadium, since they have not been able to move forward with their proposed Howard Terminal by the Port of Oakland.

On Wednesday Oakland A’s top brass met with casino magnates in the North Strip and downtown resorts operators who gave the A’s their full support for their $1 billion stadium. Scott Sibella, President of Resorts World, Las Vegas and a group of casino magnates welcome the A’s executives “We reinforced our support that we believe the best site is on the Sahara/Las Vegas Boulevard,” Sibella wrote in an email. “Having the A’s in Las Vegas will be great for the Strip properties and the Las Vegas community. “The meeting did not discussed economics, only that the A’s will have our full support” Sibella said .

Derek Stevens, co-owner of the Circa, Golden Gate and the D.Properties downtown confirmed Wednesday meeting, adding that the key players want to see the A’s relocate to Las Vegas for several reasons. “I talked with ownership in John Fisher and their President Dave for a while yesterday”, Stevens wrote in a text message. “This is very good for Las Vegas, very good for jobs, very good for hotel rooms (i.e. the LVCA). The key thing is getting the location nailed down and moving forward.

Nevada’s recently elected Governor Joe Lombardo is not willing to have any taxes on the people in order to help build the A’s ballpark in Las Vegas, but he also said that there are other ways to accomplish this without taxing the people. This recent trip by Fisher and Kaval to Las Vegas was a big step for the A’s in their “parallel plan” to seek a new stadium in Las Vegas or Oakland.

There has been no news from the City of Oakland who is dealing now with a set of issues including new elected council members and a new Mayor. As of mid-afternoon of Thursday, the A’s have not disclosed any details on their meeting yesterday in Las Vegas. The A’s only have one more year (2024) after this season when their lease expires at the Oakland Coliseum.

Does the City of Oakland wants the Oakland A’s? Or is Las Vegas a step closer today to welcoming this historic American League franchise?

This is a developing story

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