MLB tells team to fix home stadium or risk losing team
If Milwaukee hopes to keeps the Brewers in town, the city better figure out a plan to renovate American Family Field. Otherwise, the MLB franchise could be looking for a new town to call home. At least that’s the indirect message from league commissioner Rob Manfred.
Manfred stopped in Milwaukee this week and talked with reporters about wide-ranging topics. Among the points of interest was the conversation about stadium renovations. And while the commissioner didn’t say the team would definitely leave without a plan in place, he believes the city would risk lose the club if it doesn’t make some sort of commitment.
Manfred used the recent news of the Oakland A’s to make his point. The Athletics have a tentative deal in place to move to Las Vegas after the organization struggled to receive assistance from Oakland for stadium renovations.
“It resulted in a decline in the attendance which had an impact on the quality of the product that the team could afford to put on the field,” Manfred said, per the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
To be clear, Manfred’s comments were not a threat. Per the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, principal owner Mark Attanasio says he wants the Brewers to remain in Milwaukee for the long haul. But without support and assistance from the city, things could get complicated.
“This ballpark is an asset,” Manfred said. “I think the Brewers are interested in a long-term relationship and an extension of the lease that’ll keep them here.”
The Brewers’ lease on American Family Field expires at the end of 2030.
MLB’s A’s planning move to Las Vegas
Fans of the Oakland A’s are hoping for a miracle at this point. Momentum towards a move to Las Vegas has only grown since reaching a tentative agreement with the city.
That continued this week. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo released a statement approving the team to build a stadium along the Vegas strip.
“This agreement follows months of negotiations between the state, the county, and the A’s, and I believe it gives us a tremendous opportunity to continue building on the professional sports infrastructure of southern Nevada,” Lombardo said via a news release. “Las Vegas is clearly a sports town, and Major League Baseball should be a part of it.”
Recently, Las Vegas landed NHL and NFL teams. It serves as the home to the Las Vegas Golden Knights and Las Vegas Raiders. Could the Las Vegas A’s be next in line?
“We’re very appreciative of the support from the State of Nevada and Clark County’s leadership,” said A’s president Dave Kaval. “We want to thank Governor Lombardo, the Legislative leadership, the Treasurer, and Clark County Commissioners and staff on the collaborative process. We look forward to advancing this legislation in a responsible way.”