As Warriors Celebrate Championship, Oakland Official Campaigns For Team To Stay
OAKLAND (CBS SF) -- In the glow of the Larry O'Brien Trophy and a championship parade, a movement kicked off Friday with a simple premise, to keep the Golden State Warriors in Oakland.
"There's no better time than when you have a million people kind of floating around the city," said Bryan Parker, a Port of Oakland commissioner and former mayoral candidate.
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In the shadow of a historic NBA Finals win, Parker said he wants to find a way to keep the team.
"As a port commissioner, I'd love to see a waterfront ballpark at some point, the Warriors or the A's or both," Parker told KPIX 5.
The launch of the grassroots campaign comes as the planned new arena in San Francisco's Mission Bay no longer looks like a slam dunk, and is facing increasing opposition.
"I want them to stay in Oakland, because I feel if they go to San Francisco, it might turn people away from going to the games," said Warriors fan Steve Ha. "Because I feel like the die-hard fans are here."
The issue comes down to cash: arenas aren't cheap and Oakland isn't flush. Mayor Libby Schaaf has said she won't spend public funds on a pro sports arena.
"We certainly hope the team has taken notice they can win in Oakland and we certainly hope they take it into consideration," Schaaf said.
The team slogan this postseason has been Strength in Numbers, and Parker says the people of Oakland have that, and that the Splash Brothers and Riley Curry need to stay put.
"It means spirit, it means love, and the kind of love that stood by them for 40 years when they weren't winning championships," Parker said.
