Manfred: A’s Relocation Vote Could Happen In Mid-June

Major League Baseball is poised to vote on the relocation of the Oakland A’s to Las Vegas as soon as mid-June, said league commissioner Rob Manfred.

If such a vote happens at owners’ meetings slated for June 13-15 in New York, it would certify the league’s first franchise move since the Montreal Expos became the Washington Nationals in 2005.

Manfred, however, cautioned much still needs to be done before a vote happens. 

The A’s and Nevada lawmakers earlier this week reached an agreement on a $1.5 billion, retractable-roof ballpark in Las Vegas (see the latest renderings here). The state legislature has yet to approve the package. 

Nevada’s legislative session ends June 5, but Gov. Joe Lombardo could call a special session to provide more time to hash out the deal.

“It’s very difficult to have a timeline for Oakland until there’s actually a deal to be considered,” Manfred said. “There is a relocation process internally they need to go through, and we haven’t even started the process.”

Approval of the relocation requires 75% support from the 30 MLB team owners.

More Stadium Issues Brewing

Manfred, meanwhile, visited Milwaukee and advanced the rising need for the Brewers and Wisconsin officials to upgrade American Family Field. The club has detailed $448 million worth of needed renovations, work that under the current lease falls to the state’s Southeast Wisconsin Professional Baseball Park District.

“It’s really important that the existing obligation under the lease be funded so that this great ballpark is maintained,” Manfred said.