Could Raiders stuck in Oakland mean MLB to NC?

[ctrcat]

I know the only thing that really matters is beating ass this Sunday and beyond, but the fact that the Raiders will have nowhere to go and nowhere to hide will in all likelihood mean they're staying in Oakland long term.  And as unlikely as building one California stadium would be, I couldn't imagine Oakland building a football AND baseball stadium.

So, where would the A's go?  MLB commissioner Rob Manfred mentioned Charlotte as a possibility last year and Knights Stadium opponent Jerry Reese has turned his attention to Raleigh.

Perhaps that was "one" of the reasons JR wanted the Raiders to move, as owners don't like additional competition in their home markets from other sports.

The Carolinas should inevitably be a MLB market eventually, and perhaps yesterday's news expedites that possibility.

Carry on.

[Spaceballs83]

I don't see the Carolinas being a MLB market. Hard to imagine nc supporting 4 pro teams.

[ctrcat]

3 minutes ago, Spaceballs83 said:

I don't see the Carolinas being a MLB market. Hard to imagine nc supporting 4 pro teams.

Hogwash.  15 million people in two states.  CLT just passed 3 sport Pittsburgh and Cleveland in metro population.  https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Metropolitan_Statistical_Areas

[TbTeRRoR]

14 minutes ago, Spaceballs83 said:

I don't see the Carolinas being a MLB market. Hard to imagine nc supporting 4 pro teams.

The Carolina's have a rich history with baseball.   Be it  the good ole Carolina Leagues  ( see movie Bull Durham)  or the beginnings of Babe Ruth's Career to where he allegedly got the name "Babe" http://www.visitfayettevillenc.com/baberuth/history

Even the term "Bull Pen" has NC ties

 

 

also see this web page: http://www.chrisholaday.com/

 

 

[UpstatePanther]

I think I read somewhere that the A's just signed a 10 year lease for O.co Coliseum. I highly doubt they move any time soon.

That said, I do think the Carolinas could support a pro baseball team. I know more people that arent baseball fans because there is no local pro team, than I know that are fans of any given team.

[cbarrier90]

Charlotte just built a AAA stadium that isn't expandable. Not sure how feasible the Triad and the Triangle would be. 

Plus you're going to have to explain to Montsta why you're trying to steal his baseball team. 

[TbTeRRoR]

It would be kinda funny/ ironic  for me if the A's came to NC.   On some of the old console MLB games I'd create my own NC based MLB team called the Green Sox   :D

[KendrickPanther]

I don't think baseball would thrive here. Baseball is a dying game for old men. I have no idea how it remains profitable. The TV deals are massive and the ratings are horrible. The stadiums are empty for the vast majority of games. Young people in NC as a whole are less likely to support a Baseball team. Older men already have allegiances to the Braves or their transplant market. 

I would not support any municipal funds or tax exemptions to get a Baseball team in Charlotte. Raleigh might do well with a team to be honest. The Bobcats were a hard sell to fans. The Hornets are doing better but unless they win consistently it will never come close to the mid 90s fanbase. 

The thing about Baseball is very few franchises find success without spending money. Half the teams are out of the playoffs before the first pitch is thrown. I don't think there is a market for below average sports franchises in this town. The Panthers, Bobcats, and Hornets have all seen a massive decline in interest when they aren't contending. 

 

MLS might be more appealing. It would require less money from the City and cater to different demographics. 

[cbarrier90]

If MLB was actually looking at expansion, they'd probably try to bring back the Expos before looking at the Carolinas.

And as far as relocation is concerned, the Rays and their lease with that airplane hangar in St. Petersburg are probably the next option  (assuming the A's get sorted out.)

[top dawg]

Like UpstatePanther said,  the Athletics signed a 10 year lease.  Moreover,  the NFL is apparently going to help the Raiders build a new stadium in Oakland (or at least that is the feeling). 

[ctrcat]

17 minutes ago, top dawg said:

Like UpstatePanther said,  the Athletics signed a 10 year lease.  Moreover,  the NFL is apparently going to help the Raiders build a new stadium in Oakland (or at least that is the feeling). 

Exactly, but that, apparently, still makes the A's situation "hazy" http://www.csnbayarea.com/athletics/future-still-hazy-after-raiders-denied-la-relocation

And they can get out of the lease so it doesn't sound like it means much if they can still leave after December 2017, as long as the rest of the lease is paid for http://mweb.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24633746/as-owner-accepts-changes-10-year-lease-to-remain-in-oco-coliseum-settled

$20 million over 10 years is NOTHING 

[top dawg]

8 minutes ago, ctrcat said:

Exactly, but that, apparently, still makes the A's situation "hazy" http://www.csnbayarea.com/athletics/future-still-hazy-after-raiders-denied-la-relocation

And they can get out of the lease so it doesn't sound like it means much if they can still leave after December 2017, as long as the rest of the lease is paid for http://mweb.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-baseball/24633746/as-owner-accepts-changes-10-year-lease-to-remain-in-oco-coliseum-settled

$20 million over 10 years is NOTHING 

I concede that that is a little interesting,  indeed,  but it sounds like all the parties involved want the As to stay in Oakland. I will be surprised if they don't get a deal done to that end. 

[top dawg]

Btw,  I would love to have MLB here in the Carolinas,  I just think that it's still a long way off.  And I don't believe that the powers that be here have enough of a will or machine to put something in play for a team like the As,  nor do I think that MLB is without a sizeable amount of skepticism as it pertains the viability of a team around these parts. 

[ctrcat]

15 minutes ago, top dawg said:

Btw,  I would love to have MLB here in the Carolinas,  I just think that it's still a long way off.  And I don't believe that the powers that be here have enough of a will or machine to put something in play for a team like the As,  nor do I think that MLB is without a sizeable amount of skepticism as it pertains the viability of a team around these parts. 

The fact that the word Charlotte specifically came out of Rob Manfred's mouth says something-I don't know what, but something.

You are right that the political climate, specific politicians, ownership, and luck (or lack thereof depending on what side you're on), all must line up, but the A's and Rays can't go on with their stadium situations forever.

And, despite baseball's "dying" reputation, watching so many MLB cities themselves decay truthfully will (if it didn't already with the Knights Stadium) change Charlotte's reason for not having MLB from "can't", to "don't want to".