Tag: John Fisher

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s Baseball- Do not forget Joe Lacob

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Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob has expressed interest in purchasing the Oakland A’s and has an existing offer on the table to A’s owner John Fisher. Fisher has repeatedly said the A’s are not for sale. (file photo from author)

A’s Baseball — Do not forget Joe Lacob

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

In this topsy-turvy world of the Oakland A’s regarding their relocation, many things have lingered like floating on air, like a basketball going up thrown by Stephen Curry for a 3-point basket. That is Mr. Joe Lacob, the owner of the Golden State Warriors, an NBA franchise evaluated today at over $8 billion. On July 15, 2010, owner Chris Cohan sold the Warriors to Peter Gruber of Mandalay Entertainment and his partner Joe Lacob for a then-record $450 million.

Mr. Lacob has had a standing offer to buy the Oakland A’s for years. Years ago, Lacob had a deal to buy the A’s, then owned by Stephen Schott, for $180 million. However, Bud Selig, then the commissioner, approved the sale to one of his friends and college fraternity brothers, Lew Wolff and John Fisher, in 2005.

Last week, it was announced that the Oakland A’s had hired Galatioto Sports Partners to track an investor (or several) for the $500 million needed to build the A’s proposed new ballpark in Las Vegas. According to sources familiar with the matter but not authorized to speak publicly, that money could be exchanged for share/part ownership.

I believe that if Mr.Lacob bought the A’s, he would keep them in Oakland and find a way to build a new stadium for the team right here in Oaktown. How long can the “standing offer” to buy the A’s be there for the A’s owner(s) to take or decline?

Considering his steady good management, their success, and Joe Lacob’s community involvement with the Warriors here in the Bay Area, I cannot see anybody more qualified to buy the Oakland Athletics at this time and keep them in Oakland than Mr. Joe Lacob. And I believe that still could happen, maybe faster than you think.

And this is why I say to A’s world, “do not forget about Joe Lacob”.

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

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Ruiz welcomed back to the Show after 2 run blast

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Oakland A’s outfielder found himself demoted in the minor leagues after the first week of the season even though he was hitting above .400. Here he’s wearing a Last Dive Bar wrist band who are promoting that A’s owner John Fisher should sell the team. The Last Dive Bar has indicated that the A’s were offended by Ruiz wearing the wristband and that was the real reason he was demoted. All is forgiven as Ruiz is back up with the big club and hit a big fly against the St Louis Cardinals on Wed Apr 17, 2024 at the Oakland Coliseum. (photo from The Dive Bar on X)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry, when the Oakland A’s demoted outfielder Esteury Ruiz to triple A affiliate Las Vegas. At the time of the demotion Ruiz was hitting over .400 and last season led the A’s and American League in stolen bases. So the demotion had people scratching their head.

#2 Without complaining Ruiz took the demotion and in one of his at bats slugged a ball that hit the back of the bleachers at Las Vegas ball park. Ruiz cannot be denied and his production strong was promoted back to the big club Wednesday.

#3 The Last Dive Bar an A’s fan club who had been involved in the Summer of Sell, boycotts and reverse boycotts drives with the Oakland 68s had Last Dive Bar wristbands with their name on it and Ruiz and teammate Brent Rooker had been photographed with the wristbands on. Hence Rooker has not played much this season and is on the 10 day IL and has been hitting and Ruiz was sent down shortly after the photos were made public.

#4 All is forgiven now as Ruiz who the A’s brass can’t deny is back in the show and was in the line up yesterday slugged a two run home run which was key in the A’s win over the visiting St Louis Cardinals at the Coliseum.

#5 The A’s open a three game series to open their road trip on Friday night in Cleveland. For the A’s Joe Boyle (1-2 ERA 6.23) he’ll be opposed by the Cleveland Guardians Tristen McKenzie (1-2 ERA 6.23) first pitch 4:10pm PDT.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Warriors – Thanks for the Memories

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The Golden State Warriors bench looked tired and ready for the end of the 2023-24 season as they dropped their Play In Game to the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Tue Apr 16, 2024 (AP News photo)

Warriors – Thanks for the Memories

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The dynasty of NBA titles in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022 has ended as we move into a period of uncertainty, huge decisions, and big changes for the team. In the NBA, there is a trend of the ‘no 10th seeded team advancing to the playoffs from the Play-In’.

The Golden State Warriors were eliminated when they lost 118-94 in Sacramento to the Sacramento Kings; the score shocked many. Suddenly, Sacramento has become sort of a villain when it comes to Bay Area sports.

Oakland groups opposing Oakland A’s owner John Fisher from selling the team and moving them to Sacramento (and ultimately to Las Vegas) beginning next year and at least from 2025 to 2027 have pledged they will also travel to Sacramento to continue what they have called “the summer of SELL” some more more radical A’s fans are calling it “The Summer of Hell”. I do not think Mr.Fisher will sell, not yet, but once and if the team moves to Las Vegas, then (about selling) like they say in Vegas “all bets are off”.

Although the Warriors have nothing to do with the world of the A’s, it is interesting that California’s Capital is now focused on major league sports. But, as far as the Golden State Warriors, in the 2024-25 season, they have lost some of that “Shine” they used to enjoy.

But they know nothing will last forever. What is very active and present in Sacramento is Mr.Vivek Ranadivé, owner of the Sacramento Kings and the Sacramento River Cats, and he was a thrilled man last night. As far as the Warriors? Fans should thank them for the Memories, as they might have a different team next season. Some huge decisions must be made in the “not too far” future.

Warriors superstar Stephen Curry had an honest quote after his team’s defeat in Sacramento. “We all got to look at ourselves in the mirror and figure out what we individually can do better. In those deciding moments of a game, better decisions, better discipline to not foul, all the little things that we know impact winning. That’s the only way we’re going to get out of this little funk where you’re playing hard, and you have nothing to show for it.”

Curry is an honest man who, this month said he is thinking of running for President of the United States. This is quite a statement since honesty is not abundant in today’s political world. As the famous quote goes, “We know a politician is lying when his lips are moving.”

I can appreciate the Warrior’s success; I was a witness as a broadcaster in the 1990s for the Warriors, broadcasting all their games in Spanish home and away with the team (by the way, I was the only Spanish broadcaster they ever had).

Although they had inspiring players, like Chirs Mullin and good teams, they never enjoyed such a championship run as the 2000s Warriors. So, congratulations to owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber for their success; they deserve it. Unlike other owners, I have never heard one Bay Area fan complaining about the Warrior’s current ownership. How could you?

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

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: A’s trademark “Sacramento A’s” but will be known only as A’s for 2025-27 seasons

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Oakland A’s owner John Fisher addresses the media at Sutter Health Park on Thu Apr 4, 2024 announcing the A’s and Sacramento River Cats have reached a deal to use the ballpark for 2025-27 seasons for the A’s home games (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports with Charlie O:

#1 Some in the media have called this Oakland A’s owner John Fisher and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred in making the A’s playing the interim years in Sacramento 2025-27 an inside job can you take us as to why that is?

#2 On Tuesday after the Coliseum and the City of Oakland made the offer to the A’s to play the next five years with a three year opt out at $97 million it was reject and Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao countered with a $60 million year offer and that was rejected. Was it a matter of the cost being too high for the A’s or they just wanted to reject the offer no matter what and get to Sacramento.

#3 Fisher and Sacramento Rivercats owner Vivek Ranadive know each other previously did that make the deal to go to Sutter Health and Sacramento an easy decision to make. Sources say the deal was around $35 million for the three interim years.

#4 It’s not over yet the Vegas deal could fall through, John Fisher may not be able to come up with his share of the construction costs at $1.5 million for the Tropicana ballpark and Schools over Stadiums who are a wild card are about to get their petition to ask Nevada voters to turn back the public monies for the ballpark is now going to the Nevada State Court of Appeals on Tuesday.

#5 If it does fail in Las Vegas how realistic is it that the A’s would consider Sacramento. Also the A’s have trademarked Sacramento A’s although they’ll call themselves just the A’s for the three interim years.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: How will MLB work in a minor league park?

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Sutter Health Park in Sacramento the home of the A’s for the 2025-27 seasons as it looked on Fri Mar 4, 2024 during the press conference for Oakland A’s owner John Fisher and Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive (AP News photo)

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

#1 The Oakland Athletics announced today that they have agreed with the Sacramento Kings, the owners of the Sacramento River Cats, to play for three years at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento with an option for a fourth year, as they await for their supposed new ballpark in Las Vegas to somehow open.

#2 According to sources, Schools Over Stadiums will be in the Nevada Supreme Court arguing against the funding of SB1, the bill that gives government funding to the A’s ballpark. Another hurdle is the fact that A’s Owner John Fisher has not made any indication that he has the money to cover his part of the Tropicana stadium.

#3 It is quite a remarkable move for Sacramento and the Kings, considering the Kings nearly left Sacramento on several different occasions under the ownership of Joe and Gavin Maloof, two irresponsible owners with the same level of ethics and trustworthiness as John Fisher.

#4 What makes it even more infuriating is that the A’s will not even use Sacramento in their name while they bring Major League Baseball to the city for the first time. In fact, they won’t use any city’s name; for at least the next three years, they will be referred to as just the “Athletics” or the “A’s.”

#5 How will Major League Baseball work in a minor league park? How many changes will the Rivercats and A’s have to make to the park to make it work for the interim three years?

Daniel Dullum does the Oakland A’s Relocation Fridays at 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

Oakland A’s podcast with Rich Perez: A’s-Brewers exhibition a showcase for A’s future home in Vegas

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Oakland A’s owner John Fisher spoke with the media on Sat Mar 9, 2024 at Las Vegas Ballpark regarding the new Tropicana ballpark renderings which has been compared to an Armadillo or the Sydney Opera House (renderings courtesy of the Oakland A’s)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Rich:

#1 Rich, you’ve been all weekend at Las Vegas Ballpark talk about the sense the players get from being in Las Vegas away from their regular spring training facility in Mesa AZ?

#2 John Fisher the A’s owner addressed the media over the two game series in Las Vegas saying that in terms of the new ball park or the Sydney Opera House that Fisher wanted a park that would fit in with all the other innovations of the Las Vegas Strip.

#3 Bjarke Ingels Group is the A’s lead designer for the ball park and Fisher had walked with BIG Group around the Tropicana to get a idea and design of what would work on the nine acre space. Fisher said he’s thrilled with what they’ve come up with.

#4 The A’s once it’s done would have the largest scoreboard in Major League Baseball at 18,000 square feet which according to the rendering would be on the right hand side on the roof of home plate.

#5 Finally Rich talk about your experience over the last two days working with the A’s and Brewers at Las Vegas Ballpark and having to sit next to the dugout during this exhibition game which drew a lot of media to cover a series where the A’s could call their home in 2028.

Rich Perez covered the Oakland A’s and Milwaukee Brewers two game series at Las Vegas Ballpark on Mar 8th and 9th for http://www.sportsradioservice.com