Phil Matier: What Happens To Oracle Arena When Warriors Move To San Francisco?
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— The city of Oakland's fight to keep the Golden State Warriors appears to have ended with the team announcing that it's inked a deal to buy a plot of land in San Francisco's Mission Bay.
The team hopes to have a new arena open there in time for the 2018 season.
Read More:
- KPIX 5 Poll Finds Strong Support For New Warriors Arena In San Francisco's Mission Bay
- Warriors Tout Transit Benefits Of New Arena Location
- Former Mayor Art Agnos Applauds Warriors Planned Mission Bay Move
- Complete Warriors Playoff Coverage
There hasn't been a peep out of Oakland city officials since the Warriors announced the news. Does that mean this was a foregone conclusion? Mayor Jean Quan said you couldn't find a more loyal group and I couldn't agree more.
The plan for the waterfront arena was becoming too complicated with regulatory problems, but this move, a $250 million move to buy land on unregulated land that won't come under most of those conditions.
What Happens To Oracle Arena When Warriors Move To San Francisco?
It's not just a concept anymore. The Warriors are pulling up stakes and moving to San Francisco. So what happens to Oracle Arena? I was talking with members of the Joint Powers Authority run by both Alameda County and Oakland. They really can't put lipstick on this. They're losing their tenant, but at the same time, they're not going to close up shop.
When that new arena opens in San Francisco, it's going to be an expensive venue to play. Oracle Arena will remain a viable option because you'll be able to do a lot more for a lot less at that location.
Meanwhile, the A's would like to leave, but they can't so they're re-signing their lease and the Raiders can't figure out what they want to do.
So what does the Warriors move do to Oakland Mayor Jean Quan's plans for Coliseum City? The A's may not rebuild in Oakland because co-owner Lew Wolff would still like to get down to San Jose. The Raiders would like a new stadium, but they don't have the money.
