That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast with Michael Duca: MLB owners vote on A’s relocation this week; Nevada Independent calls A’s relocation mismanagement and political cronyism

The Tropicana Hotel and Casino is on the chopping block to get demoed late 2024 and the construction for the A’s ballpark is to begin April 2025 according to the Las Vegas Stadium Authority. (photo by the Nevada Independent on May 9, 2023)

Michael Duca filled for That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Michael, the Nevada Independent calls A’s coming to Vegas mismanagement, political cronyism, and a public relations disaster as the MLB owners prepare to vote on the A’s relocation this week.

#2 The article goes onto to say last week’s meeting with the Las Vegas Stadium Authority so far shows that this is throwing tax dollars away at the Tropicana ballpark and that’s it’s a worthy investment.

#3 So far the A’s have not produced how they will fund the construction costs and they have not presented a rendering of how the park will look like and the MLB owners A’s relocation vote is Tuesday night in Arlington.

#4 One other feature that’s hardly been discussed that the Independent shined the light on was the lease agreement between the team and the Las Vegas Stadium Authority this a deal similar to what Allegiant Stadium has that the A’s would not have to pay rent for 30 years and revenues go to the A’s. That would include fringe benefits of retail, hotels, and office space that the A’s will benefit from when the Tropicana is developed.

#5 One other important point there is no oversight committee to see how the public funds are allocated and managed over the project. The Independent points out that the oversight is being managed by the very same people who lobby lawmakers for public money who helped the A’s move from one binding agreement (the Rio) to the Tropicana. This is public money being thrown away to a private business that the Stadium Authority claims would be a benefit for public interests but is really helping private interests such as the Tropicana Ballpark development.

Michael Duca filled in for Amaury Pi Gonzalez who does News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s will need serious game plan taking on Dusty and the Astros Friday night; Nevada lawmakers-A’s apart by $200 million

Bally’s Casino-Hotel resort is a site that the Oakland A’s have their eye on for a new ballpark which is planned to be completed by 2027. The A’s and the State of Nevada legislature are some $200 million apart from the $395 million tax credits needed to build the new ballpark on the Vegas Strip. (file photo from Fortune Magazine)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel:

#1 The Oakland A’s (10-36) open a three game series against the Houston Astros (25-19) on Friday night at Minute Maid Field. The Astros are in second place in the AL West and the A’s have a huge job in front of them if their going to beat Astros manager Dusty Baker and the Astros.

#2 Former Houston Astro Justin Verlander who now wears a New York Mets uniform heard it from the Mets fans when he took his first loss for New York. Needless to say the Mets fans expectations are win now or they will make you pay.

#3 Daniel, With the Astros having a different starting rotation from last season does and are in second place in the AL West and the A’s with a long, long, climb to catch them their best aim is to just go out and have a good series against Houston.

#4 Daniel, the Nevada Independent reported that the Nevada legislation and A’s are some $200 million apart for the tax credits needed to build at the Tropicana site in Las Vegas. The A’s need $395 million and the Nevada legislature are willing to part with $195 million in tax credits for the ballpark. The clock is ticking as both sides need to come to an agreement on the financing by June 4th.

#5 Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao said that her door is still open on Howard Terminal if the A’s and the Nevada lawmakers can’t come to a financial agreement on the Tropicana siteThao stated today (Thursday) with ABC 7. Thao would resume negotiations on Howard Terminal. Sources have said that the City of Oakland and the A’s were 90% of the way to finalizing the deal on Howard Terminal until the A’s announced they had a binding agreement with the Wild Wild West site in Las Vegas back in mid April which is now off the table.

Daniel Dullum is the Oakland A’s analyst Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com