Yep, they tried. Relatedly, what’s going on with stadium things in Tampa?
Aside from not letting me design it? I’m not sure, other than they have a proposal and plan in place for a new one next to the existing one. It’s scheduled to open in 2028. But I don’t think MLB is overly excited about it and wants to keep the door open for other options. They’ve long wanted it to be in Hillsborough County (the Tampa side), but nothing seems to be on the table right now. That part of St. Petersburg is a cool area, but it’s a pain in the ass to get there, and that will continue to be a problem.
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This is pretty much where they are. I’m with HH, MLB doesn’t want it in St. Pete and neither does anyone who doesn’t live there. Even though the team won the right to redevelop, I think they don’t want it there either.
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What’s the issue(s) with building it in actual Tampa?
It costs money. A lot of money.
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Location, basically. And putting together a funding deal. It needs to be in a corridor with easy access from all directions, as well as near a high-density population/business center. There’s a great possibility on the edge of Ybor City, close to downtown, that seems to be the answer. Now it’s putting together a funding group. St. Pete has the lead there, obviously.
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They had a proposed location in Channelside, didn’t they? Why did that fall through? Was it funding?
Yes, funding. The new location is a stone’s throw away, on the corner of Palm and Nuccio Pkwy that would be excellent. The same issue applies, though. Gotta get it paid for.
I have a grand, and sentimental, vision of baseball in Tampa. I sure wish they could make something work.
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So do I. I’m just over 2 miles from that new location. An easy bike ride…
The majority of people in Oakland, hell, Alameda county for that matter, just don’t give a fuck about the A’s anymore. Only a few diehard fans remain and most of them are coming in from Contra Costa county. It’s a shame.
Even when they were good from 18-21 they were bottom 5 in attendance.
Question as someone with no knowledge of the specifics.
How viable is it for a group to try and get an expansion team in the Oakland area?
From what I understand, once The Rays and A’s stadium issues are resolved, expansion moves to the front burner.
It feels like the area would be great based on population and weather.
New ownership group work better with local government and get a stadium plan together for an expansion bid?
Practically zero chance MLB lets another team go to Oakland any time soon
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If this all goes through then I would think they would be pretty low on the list of expansion locations, at least for whatever the next round would be.
It’s also a bottom 1 in the shitass stadium rankings.
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Agree. Went there once about 20 years ago and it was a dump. Really good food though as I recall.
Worst I’ve ever been to. I don’t recall the food other than peanuts, though.
My experience with the Oakland Coliseum is the same. Terrible facility, really good food. My experience with the Trop is slightly less terrible facility, much worse food. Infinitely better neighborhood and beer joints around the yard.
“No ballpark can hold him!”, right? Or something?