Oakland A’s sign 10 year lease to stay in run down Coliseum

Jun 21, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics center fielder Coco Crisp (4) celebrates his tenth inning base hit that scored first baseman Alberto Callaspo (not pictured) to defeat the Boston Red Sox 2-1 at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

In what be a moment that threatens the future of football in the great city of Oakland, the Oakland A’s have made the decision to remain at the Oakland Coliseum for another decade. Extending their stay in a building that the Oakland Raiders desperately want out of and have a lease to end after this season, the Athletics will remain at what is now called the O.co Coliseum past 2020 and well into the next decade.

From ESPN:

"Oakland Athletics owner Lew Wolff said Wednesday the club has reached a 10-year lease agreement with the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority to stay at the Oakland Coliseum.The deal that would run through 2025 is subject to approval by the Coliseum Joint Powers Authority, which is scheduled to vote on the extension Friday. The City of Oakland and Alameda County Board of Supervisors also would have to approve the deal."

MLB commissioner Bud Selig also put out a release about the A’s new lease, saying the he believes the A’s need a new facility despite being happy with the A’s committing to staying in Oakland. Also adding that he feels the Coliseum site is the best venue for that to become a reality.

"“I commend the Oakland Athletics and the JPA for their efforts in reaching an extension for a lease at O.co Coliseum.  The agreement on this extension is a crucial first step towards keeping Major League Baseball in Oakland.“I continue to believe that the Athletics need a new facility and am fully supportive of the club’s view that the best site in Oakland is the Coliseum site.  Contrary to what some have suggested, the committee that has studied this issue did not determine that the Howard Terminal site was the best location for a new facility in Oakland.”"

The A’s lease is reported to have several out clauses, but there are undoubtedly going to be questions and concerns on how Raiders owner Mark Davis takes the news that the city could potentially delay the building of a new stadium for another ten years. There is still hope that the A’s lease will not change plans for a future stadium to be built, but with each year more and more negativity brews. The future of the Raiders in Oakland won’t come from this day, but questions are continuing to be asked.