As expected, a 10-year lease extension for the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum is expected to be initially approved tomorrow, giving both the team and the city flexibility in working out a new-ballpark agreement. After years of debate and talks between the team and other municipalities, it now looks like A’s ownership is on a […]
Archive | Major-League Baseball
Another potential legal threat to new Braves ballpark fizzling?
Though there have been threats of legal action against government spending on a new Atlanta Braves ballpark, none have actually commenced — and the latest effort appears to be a long shot as well. Citizens for Governmental Transparency — the group that made a huge fuss when reps were denied the chance to testify against […]
Stow trial goes to jury
The lawsuit brought by Dodger Stadium beating victim Bryan Stow against the Los Angeles Dodgers and former owner Frank McCourt is now in the hands of a jury. Stow, a San Francisco Giants fan attending the Dodgers-Giants 2011 season opener, brought the civil suit after being severely by Dodgers fans in the Dodger Stadium parking […]
Selig calls new Coliseum lease “crucial” in keeping A’s in Oakland
As expected, the Oakland A’s and the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority agreed to a 10-year O.co Coliseum lease extension, with Bud Selig calling it crucial in keeping the Athletics in Oakland. Athletics managing partner Lew Wolff announced the deal, which had been in the works for several weeks and still faces (an expected) approval from […]
Chief Wahoo, Indians under scrutiny by Native American group
With the NFL’s Washington Redskins losing trademark protection, a Native American group plans on suing the Cleveland Indians for $9 billion in damages because of the team name and Chief Wahoo logo. It’s no secret the Chief Wahoo logo is offensive to many: the Indians have downplayed its use in recent years and removed it […]
Missouri Supreme Court: Flying hot dogs not inherent part of baseball
The Missouri Supreme Court reversed a lower-court decision and held that flying hot dogs are not inherently part of the baseball experience, potentially holding the Kansas City Royals liable for injuries caused to a fan during a promotion. A lower court had held the Royals weren’t liable when fan John Coomer was struck and injured […]
Padres upgrade video, audio for 2014 season
The San Diego Padres are celebrating 10 years at Petco Park, and one immediate improvement this season: a new Park at the Park videoboard and an upgraded audio system with 226 new speakers. “As we celebrate 10 years of Petco Park this season, our ownership group has committed to a multi-year plan to make major […]
Target Field: transforming downtown Minneapolis
With the Minnesota Twins prepping to host the 2014 MLB All-Star Game, the impact of Target Field on downtown Minneapolis will be shown to a larger audience. To say that Target Field hasn’t helped transform the North Loop area of downtown would be to ignore reality. What was once dreary surface parking lots is now […]
In memoriam: Tony Gwynn
Tony Gwynn, who won eight National League batting titles with the San Diego Padres and whose outgoing personality made him a great ambassador for the game, has passed away at the age of 54. He finally succumbed to a years-long battle with cancer. Gwynn’s entire baseball career was associated with San Diego: He attended San […]
Bunning: Cubs best argument to eliminate MLB antitrust exemption
The sale of the Chicago Cubs to the Ricketts family — despite higher bids from the like of Mark Cuban — is a great argument for eliminating MLB’s antitrust exemption, according for former U.S. lawmaker Jim Bunning. Bunning is also a former MLB pitcher, so he’s seen the business of the game from all sides. […]
A’s close to lease extension; Wolff confirms interest in new Coliseum-area ballpark
With the Oakland Athletics on the verge of signing a new ballpark lease, managing partner Lew Wolff reiterated his conditional interest in building a new ballpark in the Coliseum area. The 10-year lease is pretty standard: the A’s took control of Coliseum concessions (with Ovations contracted to provide them) and will continue that arrangement, but […]
Wolff: We’d be open to Oakland ballpark site
We’ve been down this road before, but Oakland A’s managing partner Lew Wolff says team ownership would be willing to look at a new ballpark at the current Coliseum site. With San Jose increasingly looking like a spot in the rear-view mirror and prospects for a waterfront ballpark remain in the early planning stages, Wolff […]
Wrigley Field renovations back on hold
With the Commission on Chicago Landmarks declining to review a proposed $375-million Wrigley Field renovation, the Chicago Cubs are once again stalled in their attempts to upgrade the 100-year-old ballpark. The latest proposal from the Cubs increased the spending by $75 million and added to the project greatly expanded clubhouses (the home one would be […]