Council votes down putting A's ballpark measure on ballot

The Oakland Athletics received good news concerning the organization's goals of building a new ballpark. Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland council votes down putting A's Howard Terminal ballpark measure on ballot

By Chelena Goldman | Last updated 7/6/22

Good news for the Oakland Athletics, as the Oakland City Council on Tuesday night voted against putting a measure on the November ballot for residents to vote on whether to use public funds to pay for a new waterfront ballpark at Howard Terminal.

The council voted 5 to 2 in favor of not putting a measure on the ballot and was reached after 11 hours of debate, according to NBC Bay Area.

Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf posted a statement to social media to thank the council people who voted against putting the measure on the ballot, which would have held up plans for a new ballpark.

A non-binding advisory measure would have jeopardized keeping the A’s in Oakland, cost taxpayers as much as a million dollars, and done nothing but provide special interests with opportunities to spread misinformation.
— Libby Schaaf (@LibbySchaaf) July 6, 2022

Schaaf also thanked residents who have supported the project, which has already been stalled for many years. The team has threatened to leave Oakland if a new stadium at Howard Terminal — which would be part of a new development including residential and retail space — is not approved.

Those opposed to the new stadium, including various council people and the East Oakland Stadium Alliance, are calling for A's owner John J. Fisher to be on the hook for the new play space. Team president Dave Kaval has threatened to move the team to Las Vegas if a new stadium isn't built in Oakland.

The Athletics have played at the Oakland Coliseum, now called the RingCentral Coliseum, since 1968. Through the beginning of the 2022 MLB season, the A's have posted the lowest attendance numbers across the league.