Tag: John Fisher

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: Bosox Duran suspended 2 games for anti gay slurs; Mookie joins Dodgers after 2 months on IL; plus more news

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Boston Red Sox Jarren Duran center was suspended for using anti gay slurs on a fan was heckling him, plate umpire Jordan Baker (left) and Houston Astros catcher Yanier Diaz (right) heard Duran’s remarks. Duran ended up apologizing to both Baker and Diaz for what he said on Sun Aug 11, 2024 at Fenway Park in Boston (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Boston Red Sox Jarren Duran has been suspended two games for using an anti gay slur during the Sox loss to the Houston Astros. Duran started his suspension on Monday night and concludes it tonight in games against the Texas Rangers. Duran had enough of a fan’s heckling and said  “Shut up, you f—ing f—-t.” Realizing what he did he apologized to plate umpire Jordan Baker and Astros catcher Yanier Diaz.

#2 Los Angeles Dodgers rightfielder Mookie Betts has returned after suffering a broken hand injury and missed nearly two months. The Dodgers activated Betts who is an eight time All Star and 2018 AL MVP. The Dodgers designated Amed Rosario for assignment to make room for Betts.

#3 The Seattle Mariners and outfielder Victor Robles have agreed to a two year $9.75 million contract extension that runs through the 2027 season. Robles also gets $2 million in bonuses and escalators for the incredible turnaround he’s had this season. Robles is hitting .269, 36 hits, three runs, and 10 RBIs.

#4 For the Houston Astros Justin Verlander it’s been a long haul for his return. This will be Verlander’s second rehab start as he’ll pitch in the minor leagues before he rejoins the Astros. Verlander pitched at triple A Sugar Land on Saturday night. Verlander had suffered from neck stiffness for the last two months.

#5 The Las Vegas Stadium Authority will meet on Thursday and will have an updated draft for the Oakland A’s lease agreement for the $1.5 billion ballpark that will be built on Las Vegas Blvd and Tropicana. The A’s still are seeking financing for their share of the construction costs at $300 million in debt and $850 in equity from owner John Fisher’s family. The A’s are still looking for minority investors. The hunt for investor help has been going on for months now.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead broadcast 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

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Derrick Hill joins Marlins after short stint with Giants; After no hitter is Giants Snell back on track? plus more news

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Former San Francisco Giant Derrick Hill was designated for assignment and picked up by the Miami Marlins. Hill who grew up in Northern California as a Giants fan was traded to the Miami Marlins. Hill had played on 21 games this season with the Giants and Texas Rangers. (Getty photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Former San Francisco Giant outfielder Derrick Hill has found a new home with the Miami Marlins. Hill joined the Marlins on Saturday. Hill was placed on waivers by the Giants on Friday. Hill didn’t stay in San Francisco very long he joined the Giants on July 23rd going 3 for 12 until his release on Friday. Hill played for the Texas Rangers and Giants in 21 games. Hill batted .255, with three home runs and seven RBIs.

#2 Giants starter Blake Snell three Major League Baseball’s third no hitter of this season Friday night at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. The closest the Cincinnati Reds got to a hit was in the ninth inning when the Red Elly Del La Cruz hit a ball to right center in the gap that was chased down by right fielder Mike Yastrzemski that helped preserve the no hitter. Snell had a difficult start of the season does the no hitter pretty much mean he’s back on track.

#3 The St Louis Cardinals who were looking for a shot in the arm got one when they acquired outfielder Tommy Pham from the Chicago White Sox. In Pham’s first at bat since joining the Cards he got a standing ovation in his first at bat since returning to the team that first signed him in 2006. Pham said the ovation gave him goose bumps and that he’ll remember it the rest of his life. The Cards have won four of their last ten games are in second place in the NL Central and are five and half games out of first place.

#4 Charlie, your right about the New York Yankees Aaron Judge clubbed a 477 foot home run in the first inning of Friday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Judge collected his 41st home run of the season off Jays pitcher Jose Berrios. On Saturday in the second inning when Judge came up to the plate Jay’s manager John Schneider didn’t take any chances and walked Judge with the bases empty in his first at bat of the game. Yankees rained boos down on the Jays for walking

#5 According JMP Securities analyst Mitch Germain said that the Oakland A’s financing their share of the construction costs for the Las Vegas ballpark is in a holding pattern. Germain said the A’s have hit a roadblock. This has been going on for sometime that A’s owner John Fisher needs to come up with his share of the construction costs. Bally’s who just bought out Standard General’s share at $4.6 billion is going forward with their plans for a Casino and Hotel ballpark or no ballpark. But one thing for sure the A’s obligation for financing the park is in a holding pattern.

Join Charlie O’s for Headline Sports podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: Memories shared as A’s play last two months at Coliseum; A’s say they can finance Vegas park but where is the money?

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Oakland Coliseum at twilight as the Oakland A’s will play their final two months (August-September 2024) at the Coliseum before moving into their temporary home at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento for the 2025 season. (file photo by the Las Vegas Review Journal)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast:

#1 Daniel, final two months for the A’s playing in the Oakland Coliseum since 1968. As the final date of Sep 26th comes closer it’s hard to believe after over 50 years the A’s will no longer occupy the Coliseum.

#2 In the course of the wind down of the Coliseum the A’s will be sharing lots of memories from their years of winning three straight World Series from 1972-74, going to the World Series three years in a row from 1988-1990 and winning the 1989 World Series.

#3 One of the big memories is when the A’s won 20 straight ball games which was part of a movie Money Ball starring Brad Pitt as A’s general manager Billy Beane.

#4 The latest was that A’s owner John Fisher’s business partner Sandy Dean said that the A’s are working on securing funding which would amount to $500 million for Fisher’s share. Fisher had been trying to secure the funding since the MLB owners last December voted to move the A’s to Vegas. Fisher has until December 2024 to finance his end of the construction costs or the SB1 bill that publicly finances the park will be dead. Gaming & Leisure Properties Inc. and Bally’s have taken a leading role in making sure the stadium will be built. It’s yet to be seen as Fisher needs to come up with the construction financing.

#5 In talking with employees who work at the Oakland Coliseum most have not heard from A’s management about what their futures will be like be it contractors or A’s employees regarding work in Sacramento next season. Most likely the Sacramento Rivercats will be deciding a great portion of how the front office will be handled since it will save Fisher money on paying employees.

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

Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s say they’re in good shape on ballpark construction costs won’t need to use all $380 million of state money

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Sandy Dean a family business partner of Oakland A’s owner John Fisher addresses the Las Vegas Stadium Authority at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Thu Jul 18, 2024 regarding the financing of the Tropicana ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip. (photo by the Nevada Independent)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel:

#1 The Las Vegas Stadium Authority was notified by the Oakland A’s that they are in good financial standing and will not need to use all of the $380 million in public funds to pay for the construction towards the Tropicana ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip.

#2 The Stadium Authority met with Sandy Dean on Thursday. Dean a business partner with Oakland A’s owner John Fisher said the team is in “good shape” asked how the A’s are in good shape and where the finances were coming from to cover the $1.2 billion in construction costs Dean didn’t comment.

#3 Dean stated at the meeting that the A’s intend to use $350 million of the $380 million in public funds. Dean said the A’s never planned to use the full amount and that the remaining funding will be off set by debt financing.

#4 Public financing of the ballpark comes from transferable credits $180 million coming from the State of Nevada, another $120 million coming from Clark County bonds, and county infrastructure costs will run $25 million. So it looks like Nevada is ready to pitch in for their share of the costs.

#5 Still after the meeting the question of where Fisher was going to come up with his share of the construction costs at $1.2 million was an issue. In a March 2024 interview with the San Francisco Chronicle Fisher told the paper that payments for the construction costs at $200 million from debt, $500 million from the Fisher family, and another $500 million from investors. It’s mid July and there has been no word on where the money is coming from from Fisher’s share of the construction costs other than Dean saying the A’s are in “good shape” to cover the costs on the public money.

#6 News out of Sacramento Vivek Ranadive said that he’s prepared to spend millions for improvements to upgrade the park to MLB specs over the off season as the A’s will open the 2025 season at Sutter Health Park. The discussion of playing on turf has the Players Union concerned and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said all they have to do is put some water on the turf and that should cool things off and solve the problem.

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

Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Ballpark Deal between A’s and Tropicana in Vegas could fall through

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The Tropicana Hotel is under construction even if the Oakland A’s deal fall through Bally’s plans to continue working on the property. The Tropicana towers are scheduled to be demoed by April 2025 ballpark or no ballpark according to reports. (Photo by Sports Radio Service on Fri Apr 8, 2024)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Things are changing around for the Oakland A’s and owner John Fisher. The price on the Tropicana ballpark in Las Vegas has gone up 20% according to developers, those working on the project in Las Vegas and according to Alex Espinoza at the Rickey Blog.

#2 Already Fisher is trying to get $500 million to pay for his share of the construction costs which he was looking for investors to help him out with there has been nothing but crickets since that was announced about a month ago. The cost of building the ballpark goes up every day every week as there is no plans on the drawing board how this is going to get started.

#3 It was also reported that Las Vegas developers and investors say that is very unlikely that Fisher will sign a binding stadium agreement and makes a deposit for $100 million for the Tropicana ballpark unless he can find partners or investors to help pay for the deposit which Bally’s who runs the Tropicana can not afford to pay the $100 million.

#4 The report continues saying that John Fisher needs to get a new partner for construction because Balley’s needs to complete construction on the project. Bally’s needs to have the deposit from Fisher and the A’s or the A’s loses it’s authority to develop the Tropicana site and the ballpark. Which would mean the A’s would have to start the process all over again.

#5 The report continues that the Tropicana will continue to be demolished but it hasn’t nothing to do with the ballpark. The deal between Bally’s and the A’s could fall through and the A’s who are out of Oakland at the end of the 2024 season are supposed to start playing interim games in Sacramento on artificial turf starting in 2025 that scenario could also turn ugly if the players complain about playing on turf.

Jeremiah Salmonson is podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: Nevada may not sit still for A’s barnstorming ideas

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Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce CEO/President Mary Beth Sewald and Oakland A’s owner John Fisher at a preview regarding the A’s move to Las Vegas on Wed Jan 24, 2024. Sewald might be in for a disappointment after it was learned the A’s plan to play 10% of their home games away from Las Vegas (file photo by the Nevada Independent)

On the Oakland A’s Relocaton podcast with Daniel:

#1 Not only are the Oakland A’s relocating after this season to Sacramento in 2025 and Las Vegas in 2028 once they land in Vegas they plan to play ten percent of their home games in different locations for the purpose of marketing the team.

#2 Daniel, this idea is not go over too well with Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority CEO Steven Hill who pushed for the A’s move to Vegas now only to learn that 10% of the scheduled home games will be played elsewhere and take away that revenue from the City of Las Vegas?

#3 How much of this idea can infuriate not only Hill but also the Nevada State Legislature who is giving the A’s and Bally’s $380 million in public funds to help pay for the Tropicana ballpark?

#4 The A’s could very well be liking the idea of making Sacramento their permanent home. A’s owner John Fisher could be looking at working with Sacramento Rivercats owner and Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive towards the idea of building and MLB park in Sacramento and getting out of the Las Vegas deal by entertaining the 10% home away from home idea?

#5 The idea of the A’s getting out of Vegas and MLB approving it would relieve Fisher from trying to come up with his share of the construction costs at $500 million and it would give Las Vegas an opportunity to still use the $380 million of public funds towards a MLB expansion team.

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

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s brass with very little communications on relocation moves

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Las Vegas Convention And Authority president Steven Hill says the Oakland A’s brass has been communicating less then the Raiders did because when the Raiders came to Vegas it was something new. (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel:

#1 Oakland A’s brass has had very little communications with it front office personnel as to how the move to Sacramento will all take place. Who will not be going to Sacramento and who will be going. A’s employees have not been informed and have no clue what owner John Fisher and team president David Kaval have planned for 2025?

#2 The same can be said for the Las Vegas Convention And Authority president Steven Hill who assured the Las Vegas Review Journal that the A’s are coming and the A’s can finance the stadium. But that drum beat has been going on since the MLB owners approved by a majority vote to move the A’s to Las Vegas but still no explanation on how Fisher plans to come up with his share of the construction costs to the tune of $500 million.

#3 Hill said that there wasn’t as many meetings between the LVCVA and the A’s like there were with the Las Vegas Raiders because this was all new during the Raiders move to Allegiant Stadium. It still doesn’t add up why the A’s won’t communicate and if they do very little. Knowing how the A’s have operated in the past on the following season’s communications they will let you know usually after Christmas.

#4 The local paper Review Journal is having a hard time getting any kind of quote from Fisher or Kaval regarding the ballpark construction payments. The sentiment because the Review Journal has been all in in support for the A’s move to Vegas but the Journal is having a tough time just getting a quote from the A’s.

#5 Daniel a septic tank was found at the entrance of the demoed part of the building at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino. Where a cherry picker partially tipped over into the underground septic tank. A fine way to get the demo started?

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

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That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Raiders rank #1 in ticket sales can the A’s do the same in Vegas?

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Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas home of the Las Vegas Raiders who are number one in tickets sold in the NFL. The Oakland A’s hope to duplicate that if and when they move into the Tropicana Hotel and Resort location in Las Vegas as planned in 2028 (USA Today file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Las Vegas Raiders moved up three spots in the NFL rankings in ticket sales to number one for the second year. The Raiders do sell a lot of tickets to fans from the visiting teams but none the less they are at the number position at tickets sold is this something that the Oakland A’s are looking at in terms of possible tickets sold.

#2 Baseball could be different in ticket sales as less fans travel with their teams like they do in the NFL and Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday baseball has been noted for small crowds. The A’s are depending on sellouts to make their payments for the Vegas ballpark how much pressure does that put on them?

#3 Once again owner John Fisher and the A’s are depending on the Los Angeles investor to find investors to buy shares into the team and turn around and put money into the construction costs for the ballpark at the Tropicana without it the A’s could look elsewhere. Would you agree the situation at hand things are very much still up in the air?

#4 In some on line interviews with fans they say this is the last time they’ll be coming to see MLB and they will leave the game once the A’s leave Oakland do you find the sentiment has pretty much been echoed throughout the fan base?

#5 The A’s are setting their sights for the interim for Sacramento for 2025-2027 they will play in a park that seats 14,014 and will be the smallest facility in MLB. The A’s once again the Tropicana is built will continue to play in the smallest venue in MLB at 30,000.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Environmental law suit could hold up Coliseum sale

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African American Sports and Entertainment president Ray Babbitt addresses the media at the Oakland Airport Hilton. Babbitt and AASEG intend to purchase the Oakland A’s half of the Coliseum property and also the other half from the City of Oakland (African American Sports and Entertainment file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, Alameda County’s sale on half it’s share at the Oakland Coliseum is due to go through on May 14 when the Oakland A’s are scheduled to make the final payment of the property at $85 million. However a lawsuit has been filed in Alameda County court for Sep 24.

#2 The lawsuit filed by Communities for a Better Environment who are a California non profit environmental health group say that team owner John Fisher in the sales agreement ignored the Surplus Land Act which is mandated by state law.

#3 The A’s who purchased half of the Coliseum site back in 2019 in the event that if their new ballpark site at Howard Terminal falls through they could go back to the Coliseum. The A’s later claimed the Coliseum was unfit for baseball but the A’s plan to continue with the purchase.

#4 The A’s are currently in negotiations to sell their half interest to Oakland group the African American Sports and Entertainment Group. AASEG is also negotiating with the City of Oakland to purchase their half of their interest to develop, residential, commercial and sports.

#5 Ruby Acevedo an attorney for the environment group CBE said the county could argue that the SLA is regularly ignored statewide however Acevedo state there is case law that the counties would take demand letters seriously. CBE is asking for the county to engage in housing development for affordable housing. Affordable housing was an issue with Fisher when it was a requirement for his ballpark village at Howard Terminal.

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

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