Coliseum Authority Claims A's Wanted Debts Written Off As Negotiations Sour
OAKLAND (KCBS)— After word of Tuesday night's rejection from the A's on a 10-year lease proposal to stay in Oakland, the Coliseum Authority is speaking out about one of the pressing issues. It involves a debt the authorities say the team wants to be written off.
When the A's rejected the deal that would have kept them playing at the Coliseum through 2024, their statement said the offer did not address all of their issues.
At a Wednesday news conference Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority Chairman Nate Miley said the issue is the details of the terms.
"One of the things that really concerns me and really frustrates me is the fact that the A's have withheld a rent payment and we're going to arbitrate that. It's at least $5 million" Miley said.
He said that money could be used for public purposes, but in a statement released after his comments, A's President Michael Crowley said they owe no back rent and that their final offer included a rent increase.
Oakland Mayor Jean Quan also commented on the latest rejection.
"It's been pretty well-known, although you guys haven't been reporting on it, that Lew Wolff has been seeking a 10-year extension and that we're having negotiations."
Quan then reiterated Wolff's quote from Tuesday night and said, "We're not going to negotiate this in public."
The A's have been pursuing a bid to relocate to San Jose. Crowley's statement also said that the team has nothing additional to offer. As a result, there will be no further negotiations.