Tag: Las Vegas A’s

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Even If they Strike Out in Las Vegas, A’s are not coming back to Oakland

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The proposed site of the Oakland A’s new ballpark at Tropicana Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas. The Nevada Legislation votes this week with a deadline of Mon Jun 5, 2023 (photo by the Las Vegas Review Journal)

Even If they Strike Out in Las Vegas, A’s are not coming back to Oakland

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–During my recent Podcast here I mentioned that the Oakland A’s cannot wait to leave Oakland. I was correct. Nevada State Senate hearing this past Monday. A joint meeting of the Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees in Carson City. It was also video-conference at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building in Las Vegas.

Representatives for the A’s stated that if funding for the ballpark in Las Vegas doesn’t happen and they cannot get a deal, the A’s will explore other cities as relocation options, like Portland, Nashville and Salt Lake City, instead of going back to Oakland.

In other words, if they ‘strike out’ in Las Vegas, they will not entertain the idea of coming back to the table for more negotiations in Oakland. The whole session during Memorial Day lasted six hours.

Including opinions (via telephone calls) pro and con from residents, although since the chairman of the committee did not request that citizens participating disclosed their area code, there were some comments that some people from Oakland called, to “boycott” and vote against the team playing in Sin City.

The Legislative session (only hearing on the A’s stadium plan) revealed the real plans for the A’s in Las Vegas as their representatives, lawmakers and finance experts all participated. Oakland Athletics Consultant Jeremy Aguero spoke, below some of the most important points he made: – There will be no new taxes –

Project could be sustained within the sports and entertainment improving district. – State has the opportunity to recoup at least $90 million of its $180 million (Nevada is shelling $180 million in funds, while Clark County $120 million) – Relocation to Las Vegas by the major league team will NOT lead to the relocation of their Triple-A team Las Vegas Aviators.

The A’s will also have to enter into a non-relocation agreement with Las Vegas Stadium Authority for at least 30 years, Representatives for the A’s continue to make their points about the events that would take place at their new Tropicana location, like: 82 A’s games and other sports events like soccer, college baseball, volleyball, concerts, etc.

Quote by one of the A’s representatives, “This is just NOT for baseball events” He also estimated baseball events would draw 2,296,000, an average of 28,000 X 82 games. Gov. Joe Lombardo, State Treasurer Zach Conine, Clark County and the A’s all together announced the agreement for the stadium bill last week, saying Nevada’s commitment would be less than 25% of the projected $1. 5 billion project.

Governor Lombardo is expected to sign the bill if approved by all parties in Carson City, with a deadline of June 5. If approved, major league baseball will move to take a vote by all team owners, which is expected to pass with little opposition.

Where will the A’s play, since the date for inauguration of their new place in Las Vegas is now 2028 remains to be seen. They could play the whole 2024 season at the Oakland Coliseum (which they own by a 50% share and still have a lease) or they could just be playing their last season in Oakland, as like I previously stated, they cannot wait to leave Oakland.

Sacramento has also shown interest in hosting the A’s while they build a new park. From 2000 to 2014 the Sacramento Rivercats where the Triple A affiliate for the Oakland A’s, since then they are the SF Giants. Finally. If anybody wonders if Oakland could get another major league team, via an expansion team it will not be easy.

They still need a new ballpark in Oakland and as it looks now, the Howard Terminal is becoming another trivia question for the ages. It could take even longer than 2028 for the Athletics to get back to major league baseball in the city of Oakland.

If you hear this Commissioner talking about expansion in Oakland, congratulations you have a great story to tell. Las Vegas has sports fever as their Las Vegas Golden Knights are in the NHL Finals. They are facing the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead broadcast voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish Radio Network Le Grande 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburgh and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: A’s Tropicana ballpark looking to pass as Unions and Assembly lean towards funding project

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From left, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority CEO Steve Hill, State Treasurer Zach Conine and Applied Analysis founder Jeremy Aguero testify on SB509 on Monday, May 29, 2023 in Carson City. (David Calvert/The Nevada Independent)

On the A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry, talk about how the Senate Committee on Finance and Assembly Committee on Ways and Means took a look at Senate bill SB509 how guest/visitor drives room rates and occupancy for “heads in beds”

#2 Design regarding opening and closing the roof on hot nights in June, July, and August and it’s hot how the design of the roof will cover the ballpark.

#3 Where will the A’s benefit from on the most local residents vs. tourists? The Raiders draw is more tourists than locals. Will the tourists outdraw local tourist for a new Tropicana ballpark?

#4 The Assemblywoman Neal asked how the needs of the taxpayers and residents of Nevada who need those tax dollars that could go towards to education, homelessness and county and local government. Assemblyman Jeremy Arguello said that the jobs and dollars from services would generate taxes that would pay for those public services.

#5 Monday night’s joint committee meeting was to get a feel for the finance of the Tropicana Park this would be the one and only meeting and a vote will be scheduled later. Do you get a sense based on the talking points tonight that the Assembly weighing the costs are leaning heavily towards for the park.

#6 Assemblywoman Monroe-Moreno said “my answer right now is hell no can you show me how to get to a yes.” Monroe-Moreno said the A’s attendance in Oakland is abysmal and that A’s management has done a poor job with running the club how will that be different in Las Vegas?Assemblyman Arguello said that bringing the A’s to Las Vegas would be attraction and with a new facility they would drive more fans then what their getting now in Oakland.

Join Jerry Feitelberg for his usual A’s podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Nevada Legislature joint session meets tonight on Holiday; Both committees to vote on Tropicana ballpark

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The Nevada State Legislature meeting on Tue May 16, 2023. The Legislature meets tonight Mon May 29, 2023 in Carson City in a special joint session that will lead to voting for tax credits for a Las Vegas A’s Tropicana ballpark. If the legislature votes no on the park the A’s may have to revisit their other alternative in talking to Oakland and Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. (photo from the Nevada Independent)

On That’s Amaruy News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Nevada Legislature announced late Sunday that they will meet on the Memorial Day Holiday in a joint session with the senate and the assembly. If approved the bill would need to signed by Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo.

#2The FAA also needs to approve the resolution as home plate faces the runaway at Las Vegas Airport. The FAA needs to look the safety path relative to the ballpark and lights and height of Tropicana Park.

#3 Amaury, wanted to ask you about the renderings, the ballpark will be built on nine acres with a retractable roof but the renderings look more larger than a nine acre area more like 19 acres. The arch over the park looks like a glass dome or see through structure could that the retractable roof.

#4 The renderings also face the strip but the plans are for the park to face the airport. The arch is as tall as the MGM Hotel and is that arch the retractable roof that folds on top of Tropicana Park?

#5 A’s president David Kaval basically said that the design that was presented is not the project in the literal sense but it was something to show the joint session tonight when making the case why it would make sense to have a the A’s in location and why it would be a benefit for Las Vegas residents and visitors.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer on 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

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 Tony Renteria: A’s hope to end 7 game skid tonight vs. Astros ; Clark County officials have their doubts on Vegas ballpark

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Oakland Athletics’ Seth Brown hits a two-run home run on a pitch by Seattle Mariners starter Logan Gilbert during the first inning at T Mobile Park in Seattle on Thu May 25, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the A’s podcast with Tony R:

#1 The Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland A’s 3-2 Thursday night at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. The Mariners completed a four-game sweep of the A’s. This one wound up being the A’s seventh straight loss.

#2 The A’s starting pitcher, J.P.Sears, had an outstanding outing. Sears went five innings, allowing one run and three hits. Sears struck out three and did not walk a batter. His ERA dropped to 4.70.

#3 The A’s will host the Houston Astros at the Coliseum for three games starting Friday night. The A’s will send James Kaprielian (0-4, 8.68 ERA) to the mound. The Astros will counter with Hunter Brown(4-1, 3.20ERA)

#4 The Nevada Legislature is going to take a vote on passing the tax credits for a new ballpark at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino this or next week before the June 5th deadline. The legislature is offering $180 million in tax credits. Nevada residents are skeptical of the deal because the team left what they called a binding agreement at the I-15 and Dean Martin location which was 49 acres for a nine acre location at Tropicana which is not facing the strip on Las Vegas Blvd.

#5 Clark County officials have expressed worry that the tax payers could be on the hook for tax credits if the Tropicana park turns out to be financial boondoggle. In the long run voters will remember who voted for a failed project and may vote those legislators out of office. This is not a sure money maker for Las Vegas or the State of Nevada.

Tony R filled in for Daniel Dullum who does the A’s podcasts Fridays 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: Las Vegas expansion Is more than the A’s

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Actor Mark Wahlberg who is behind moving Hollywood film production to Las Vegas is one of the other major industries leaving California (AP file photo 2022)

Las Vegas expansion Is more than the A’s

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–Major League Baseball and the Oakland Athletics are not the only ones moving to Las Vegas. Hollywood movie studios are also making the move to Sin City. A group of bipartisan Nevada lawmakers just introduced a bill that would give massive credits towards luring Hollywood film production to Las Vegas including a proposed $1 billion Sony Studios expansion. Filmmaker Mark Wahlberg is one the biggest proponents of this Hollywood studio migration to Las Vegas.

Southern Nevada is fast becoming a center for entertainment like few other cities in the world, with lots of available land, lower taxes, and less political drama, than “for example” neighboring California which has also seen an exodus of its residents to Nevada and other States that are more “tax-friendly”. An executive in the hospitality industry said, quote” “California has become prohibited for business, with so many regulations and high rates of taxes.

A Sony Studios spokesperson said the company supports the film industry expansion with a commitment of $1 billion on production over the next ten years.

After being hit by the pandemic, Nevada now has become a “happening place” and Las Vegas is at the center of it all. The Nevada lawmakers are giving $190 million in tax credits for 20 years to the people and businesses of the State. This is the largest tax incentive package in recent history

While here in the Bay Area, the departure of the Oakland A’s is big news, as the A’s would be the first franchise to relocate out of state since the Montreal Expos (who were under National League ownership) in 2005, now playing in Washington, D.C., as the Washington Nationals. They relocated out of the country from Canada to the US.

–On November 18 the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix will take place.

–The 58th Super Bowl is scheduled to be played on February 11, 2024, at Allegiant Stadium, in Las Vegas. This will mark the third straight year that the Super Bowl has been played in the Western United States.

–Las Vegas Golden Knights are back in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, now as the Pacific Division champions and the top seed in the Western Conference, after they missed the playoffs last season.

The A’s have company: The new trend is the “California Exodus”, as California’s population still shrinking. According to the latest population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, California’s population declined by more than 500,000 between April 2020 and July 2022. You do not need an MBA from UCLA to know that the high cost of living in California and so many other problems, housing, homelessness, and crime in the cities have become the factors for this exodus right after the Covid years on why so many people are saying Adios to the Golden State.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at http://www.sportsradioservice.com and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Bill for A’s funding to Nevada Legislature this week

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A rendering of what the Oakland A’s Tropicana ballpark would look like from the outside. If the Nevada legislation approves the $395 million needed to build the ballpark construction would start as early as 2027 (photo from @SportingTrib)

Bill for A’s funding to Nevada Legislature this week

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

(Monday May 15, 2023)

OAKLAND–The Oakland Athletics and Ballys Corporation struck a deal that will enable the A’s to build a park on a portion of where the Tropicana Las Vegas property is located. That property expected to be demolished this summer.

“The Tropicana has been a landmark of Las Vegas for generations, and this development will enhance this iconic site for generations to come,” Bally’s president George Papanier stated in the news release. “We are committed to ensuring that the development and ballpark built in its place will become a new landmark, paying homage to the iconic history and global appeal of Las Vegas and its nearly 50 million visitors a year.”

The Tropicana is one of the oldest Hotel-Casinos in Las Vegas. — one of the oldest operating casinos in the city — Bally’s president hinted at demolition in his statement, calling a potential ballpark a “new landmark” that would be “built in its place”: We are excited about the potential to bring Major League Baseball to this iconic location,” Athletics President Dave Kaval stated in the prepared release. “We are thrilled to work alongside Bally’s and GLPI, and look forward to finalizing plans to bring the Athletics to Southern Nevada.”

GLPI agreed to fund up to $175 million toward “shared improvements within the future development” of the property, in exchange for a rent increase. As of September 2022, Bally’s had agreed to pay $10.5 million annually as part of a 50-year lease agreement with GLPI.

Bill to the Nevada Legislature to be introduced this week: Nevada State Sen. Scott Hammond told Channel 13 Las Vegas that he has seen language for legislation, and that the public funding portion to build a stadium would total $395 million and include a tax district.

That legislation is expected to be introduced early this week, with enough time to get a deal done during this legislative session. Commissioner of Baseball Rob Manfred had maintained now for over a year that a move to Las Vegas by the Oakland A’s would be satisfactory for Major League Baseball since the A’s deal with Oakland was not a success, Manfred believes the A’s needed a new state-of-the-art baseball facility.

If the bill for funding is approved, next step will be to begin the construction of the park. If it doesn’t pass, then we will have another chapter of the A’s saga, but as of today, there is little doubt that the Oakland A’s now have bet “all their chips on the table” for Las Vegas.

Where will the A’s play while their new radium, planned to be inaugurated in 2027 is under construction still not certain, and even though the A’s own 50% of the Oakland Coliseum, there is a possibility that they could begin playing at Aviators Park in Las Vegas as soon as 2025, although that remains to be determined.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play talent 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

Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum: Thao expresses city of Oakland was betrayed on A’s Vegas news; A’s Kaval says team is ready for next step

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Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao addressed the media at Oakland City Hall on Thu Apr 20, 2023 regarding the Oakland A’s saying they will be moving out of Oakland and building a new ballpark in Las Vegas which will be ready by 2027 (photo from the San Francisco Chronicle)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 One of the things that Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao emphasized during her press conference on Thursday at Oakland City Hall that the city was in the middle of negotiations with the Oakland A’s when she got the phone call on Wednesday night at 6:00pm from Oakland A’s team president David Kaval that the A’s have reached a land deal with Las Vegas and the team plans to break ground in 2024 and have a stadium ready by 2027.

#2 Mayor Thao expressed how shocked she was to have gotten Kaval’s call on Wednesday evening. Thao said that she’s done talking to the A’s and is looking forward to developing Howard Terminal without a ball park however saying towards the end of her press conference that she would take that call from the A’s if for some unforeseen mishap their still interested in staying in Oakland.

#3 Daniel, there were many comments coming from Oakland A’s fans and reporters on the news of the A’s moving to Las Vegas and some shared their memories of coming the Coliseum and seeing some of the greatest players over the years who came out to see the A’s during some of their glory years in the 70s and late 80s.

#4 As tough of a stand that Mayor Thao made in Thursday’s press conference there was anger in not being informed of a land deal in the works in Las Vegas and her trust in the A’s negotiations and all the work and money that went towards trying to secure Howard Terminal.

#5 Going forward for the rest of the season what will it look like for the A’s players and manager Mark Kotsay going forward with this lame duck situation hanging over their heads?

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

Oakland A’s podcast with Rich Perez: Fisher will profit from the Vegas move for first few years

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Oakland A’s owner John Fisher will benefit from the Real Estate, commercial retail, housings, entertainment, restaurant venues from a Las Vegas move at Tropicana and I 15 in Las Vegas (photo from the US Sun file)

On the A’s podcast with Rich Perez:

#1 Rich, what was the response in Las Vegas after finding out the Oakland A’s had a binding agreement to build at Tropicana and Interstate 15 near Allegiant Stadium.

#2 We knew that this was in the works for sometime but when A’s team president David Kaval made the announcement that the A’s would move to the parking lot at the Wild Wild West did that shock the people of Las Vegas in a good way much the way it shocked the people in Oakland in a bad way.

#3 Rich I know you’ve had a very close relationship in professional baseball coming up the ranks in minor league baseball and you make your home in Las Vegas how important is it for baseball to come to Vegas and will it be viable in the nation’s 40th sized TV market.

#4 Taxes played a big part into going to Vegas for owner John Fisher and his decision to move from Oakland the A’s practically will get a $500 million dollar tax exemption when they move to Tropicana and there are no state taxes in Nevada.

#5 On the other side of the coin had Mr. Fisher put his money into a winning team and the A’s were competitive fans would have turned out but fielding a minor league team of sorts and having a last place team on a pace to lose over 100 games fans simply will stay away.

Rich Perez is a Las Vegas Raiders beat writer and will be covering the move of the A’s to Las Vegas for http://www.sportsradioservice.com