• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 19, 2025

A’s See New Lease Terms in Oakland, but Fans Aren’t in the Mood

  • City officials are set to present an updated offer for the club to stay temporarily at the Coliseum.
  • Oakland begins its 2024 home schedule with four weak attendance totals as fan anger rises.
Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports

The good news for the A’s is there is further progress in the team’s lease extension talks with Oakland. 

But staying at the Coliseum—where attendance is low and fan unrest is high—also could become very bad news for the beleaguered MLB club. 

The city of Oakland is presenting the A’s with an updated version of its proposed term sheet for the club to stay at the Coliseum for the 2025–27 seasons while a new ballpark is being built in Las Vegas. That revised offer, according to ESPN and San Francisco’s KGO-TV, includes:

  • A $97 million total extension fee that is a radical departure from the current $1.5 million annual rent the team currently pays
  • A provision for the club to sell its 50% share in the Coliseum complex, allowing for future development to occur on the site
  • A further provision for the A’s to bear the costs of field conversion when the United Soccer League’s Oakland Roots play at the Coliseum
  • An elimination of previously stated demands by the city to retain the A’s name and team colors, and to have an MLB guarantee of a future expansion team
  • A five-year term with an opt-out after three years, allowing both the A’s and the city to have flexibility should changes occur in the Las Vegas construction timeline

Despite the 57-year-old Coliseum’s state of increasing age and disrepair, the venue has existed for weeks as the most likely temporary option for the A’s, in part because it is already approved for league use by the MLB Players Association and would not require significant modifications. Staying in the Oakland market would also preserve a local media-rights deal with NBC Sports California that paid the club $67 million last year. 

The Coliseum lease issue is set for further discussion Tuesday when the A’s meet again with Oakland city officials.

Challenging Signs

The current mood among Oakland fans, however, is angry, and the A’s are now threatening to post attendance marks not seen anywhere in MLB in more than a generation. After the club’s Opening Day was marked by a large-scale fan protest in the Coliseum parking lot, the team drew a total of 26,902 for the entire four-game, season-opening series against the Guardians (above), resulting in three losses for the A’s. That four-game total was less than what six other MLB teams each drew for just their Sunday home games, despite the day coinciding with the Easter holiday. 

The current A’s attendance average of 6,726, if it holds for the duration of the season, will be MLB’s lowest non-COVID-19 total since Oakland averaged just 3,787 per game during the 1979 season. 

MLB is aiming to settle the club’s temporary stadium issue in the coming weeks, in part to allow for the finalizing of the 2025 schedule and its release this summer.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jul 13, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announces the pick for the Athletics pick during the MLB Draft at The Coca-Cola Roxy.

Manfred Says MLB Had Wrong Approach to Creators Like Jomboy

“You gotta go where people are going,” the commissioner said.
Jun 9, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Luis Ortiz (45) reacts after giving up a home run during the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field.

MLB Pitcher’s Paid Leave Extended Through August As Betting Probe Continues

Leagues have been dealing with a host of sports betting issues.

Golf’s Prize Money Boom Is Slowing Down

There is no purse increase at The Open Championship.

WNBA Stars Say Zero Progress Made at CBA Meeting

The WNBA and its union had their first in-person meeting Thursday.

Featured Today

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.
Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.
July 17, 2025

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Josh Donaldson

Josh Donaldson Seeks Another $70K in Landlord Dispute

Donaldson rented the house while playing for the Yankees in 2022.
Oct 27, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; A general view of the Wells Fargo Center before game between Philadelphia Flyers and Montreal Canadiens.
July 10, 2025

New Philly Arena Will Redefine Home-Court Advantage, CEO Says

The forthcoming venue will arrive with plenty of ambition among its owners.
The 153rd Open
July 16, 2025

Trump Talks Continue, but Turnberry’s Open Return Is Uncertain

Trump Turnberry is still under consideration for future Open Championships.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
April 19, 2022; Austin, TX, USA; Tim Leiweke of the Oak View Group speaks at a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Moody Center, a multi-purpose arena that will be home to concerts and the UT basketball teams on Tuesday April 19, 2022.
July 9, 2025

Oak View Founder Tim Leiweke Indicted for Alleged Rigged Arena Bid

The longtime sports executive leaves his day-to-day leadership role.
July 9, 2025

Browns $600M Stadium Deal Hit With Suit Over ‘Unclaimed’ Money

Ohio’s use of unclaimed funds for a new stadium is challenged legally.
July 8, 2025

Chiefs Delay Stadium Decision As Kansas Dangles Dome Dreams

Kansas legislators extend bonds for potential Chiefs and Royals facilities.
Jul 3, 2022; London, United Kingdom; Jannik Sinner (ITA) returns a shot during his match against Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) on day seven at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
July 7, 2025

Wimbledon’s Expansion Battle Looms Over Star-Studded Quarterfinals

The expansion’s loudest opposition is Save Wimbledon Park.