San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed says he’s been in contact with A’s co-owner Lew Wolff about a move of the team to a downtown ballpark.
Mayor Chuck Reed says he’s been in contact with A’s co-owner Lew Wolff about a move of the team to a downtown ballpark, and based on those conversations says there’s a better than 50-50 chance the team will end up in San Jose:
"I’m very optimistic about this happening. Lew has always been interested in San Jose. That’s where he started looking for another stadium. We’ve got a great site — an environmental impact report. We do have this hurdle, Major League Baseball, their territorial rights. That’s something that Mr. Wolff has to think about. He’s taken spring break off to think about baseball for a while. But we need to get ready, get ourselves in the best position possible. So if Major League Baseball gives us a call, we’ll be ready to get into the game."
UPDATE: The city will discuss on April 7 a privately financed poll from A’s to San Jose Study Group, made up of business and civic leaders.
RELATED STORIES: San Jose city committee wants to see poll of residents before moving forward on A’s; Could Oakland Coliseum work as baseball-only venue?; Wolff: Goal is team in "Northern California"; A’s officially drop Fremont ballpark plans; Wolff says there’s no backup plan; A’s suspend Fremont plans; will reevaluate future home for club; A’s: No new ballpark until 2014; Wolff: A’s still committed to Fremont ballpark; A’s cancel community meetings as opposition to new ballpark plan accelerates; New A’s ballpark opposed by hundreds of protesters; Oakland admits original plans for Cisco Field are all but dead
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