Portland Diamond Project (MLB) | Proposed

[urbanlife]

Which none of this will matter if MLB promises Oakland an expansion team.

[PhillyPDX]

Originally Posted by urbanlife

Which none of this will matter if MLB promises Oakland an expansion team.

Now wouldn't that be some weird optics. You can't draw crowds (only partially due to the crappy stadium), but you get a new team. Some sports teams move despite passionate fans due to bigger money elsewhere. A's are not one of those teams.

Interesting about SLC, because until now PDX was the clear front runner if not simply because SLC hadn't made any serious push, no big ownership group, etc.

I just noticed Utah is promising $900M to fund a new stadium? That doesn't bode well for Portland (not that I agree with public funding of sports). Looks pretty cool, and on essential empty industrial land with lots of residential included.....exactly the kind if concept Lloyd needs, if not with a more urban feel in Portland.

[uncommon.name]

Originally Posted by PhillyPDX

Now wouldn't that be some weird optics. You can't draw crowds (only partially due to the crappy stadium), but you get a new team. Some sports teams move despite passionate fans due to bigger money elsewhere. A's are not one of those teams.

Interesting about SLC, because until now PDX was the clear front runner if not simply because SLC hadn't made any serious push, no big ownership group, etc.

I just noticed Utah is promising $900M to fund a new stadium? That doesn't bode well for Portland (not that I agree with public funding of sports). Looks pretty cool, and on essential empty industrial land with lots of residential included.....exactly the kind if concept Lloyd needs, if not with a more urban feel in Portland.

I agree, it's very weird that MLB is nearly promising Oakland an expansion team on certain terms. Oakland has shown that they are not willing to keep their profession sports going. Warriors moved to San Francisco, Raiders to Vegas, and now the A's to Vegas. Why give them any more opportunities? The Bay area has an MLB team with a huge following (Giants). Come on Manfred, let another market get into the MLB and spread the sport/create new exciting rivalries (Portland/Seattle)!

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by PhillyPDX

Now wouldn't that be some weird optics. You can't draw crowds (only partially due to the crappy stadium), but you get a new team. Some sports teams move despite passionate fans due to bigger money elsewhere. A's are not one of those teams.

Interesting about SLC, because until now PDX was the clear front runner if not simply because SLC hadn't made any serious push, no big ownership group, etc.

I just noticed Utah is promising $900M to fund a new stadium? That doesn't bode well for Portland (not that I agree with public funding of sports). Looks pretty cool, and on essential empty industrial land with lots of residential included.....exactly the kind if concept Lloyd needs, if not with a more urban feel in Portland.

This is my prediction of what will happen, Oakland will get an expansion team to replace the A's, either Nashville or Charlotte will get the other expansion team. With the A's in Vegas, that would likely mean their AAA team will relocate and the new Oakland expansion team would need a new AAA team. This is what I could see Portland and Salt Lake City scoring would be these two AAA teams. Not as exciting as getting a MLB team, but I think that is closer to reality.

[PhillyPDX]

Originally Posted by urbanlife

This is my prediction of what will happen, Oakland will get an expansion team to replace the A's, either Nashville or Charlotte will get the other expansion team. With the A's in Vegas, that would likely mean their AAA team will relocate and the new Oakland expansion team would need a new AAA team. This is what I could see Portland and Salt Lake City scoring would be these two AAA teams. Not as exciting as getting a MLB team, but I think that is closer to reality.

I’m not seeing much online regarding an A’s expansion team, I do see a lot of talk for lease extension since LV site won’t be ready until 2028. And Sacramento is also in running for that interim site…with a 14k seat stadium. Such is how sad that fan base is now I guess.

[uncommon.name]

Originally Posted by PhillyPDX

I’m not seeing much online regarding an A’s expansion team, I do see a lot of talk for lease extension since LV site won’t be ready until 2028. And Sacramento is also in running for that interim site…with a 14k seat stadium. Such is how sad that fan base is now I guess.

It's mostly a last ditch attempt by the Oakland Mayors office to try to get MLB to commit to a guaranteed expansion team.

"While the Athletics remain committed to their Las Vegas relocation, there still is optimism that Oakland can harbor an MLB franchise moving forward.

The Oakland Mayor's office and the league have engaged in discussions about the city potentially being guaranteed an expansion franchise in exchange for granting the A's a lease extension at the Coliseum, the San Francisco Chronicle's Scott Ostler reported Friday in an exclusive.

Ostler's report also states the city of Oakland is invested in persuading A's owner, John Fisher, to sell his 50-percent stake in the Coliseum site due to a group possessing ambitious plans for a major development on the plot of land."

You can read more here...

[MarkDaMan]

Originally Posted by uncommon.name

I agree, it's very weird that MLB is nearly promising Oakland an expansion team on certain terms. Oakland has shown that they are not willing to keep their profession sports going. Warriors moved to San Francisco, Raiders to Vegas, and now the A's to Vegas. Why give them any more opportunities? The Bay area has an MLB team with a huge following (Giants). Come on Manfred, let another market get into the MLB and spread the sport/create new exciting rivalries (Portland/Seattle)!

For decades (since I moved away from Phoenix in 2002) I've followed the never ending drama surrounding the Arizona (Phoenix) Coyotes in the NHL. They've had terrible arena issues, management issues and lack of local community support. They've been playing in a 5,000 seat college arena the past two years and have another "maybe they can, maybe they can't" arena proposal being floated. The NHL, despite having at one point to take over ownership of the bankrupt team, continues to support the team in the market despite there being plenty of other options that could generate more excitement and revenue.

I don't undestand the business decisions of major league sport franchises.

[PhillyPDX]

Originally Posted by MarkDaMan

For decades (since I moved away from Phoenix in 2002) I've followed the never ending drama surrounding the Arizona (Phoenix) Coyotes in the NHL. They've had terrible arena issues, management issues and lack of local community support. They've been playing in a 5,000 seat college arena the past two years and have another "maybe they can, maybe they can't" arena proposal being floated. The NHL, despite having at one point to take over ownership of the bankrupt team, continues to support the team in the market despite there being plenty of other options that could generate more excitement and revenue.

I don't undestand the business decisions of major league sport franchises.

Desparate attempt to connect into a booming market. Prob why they changed the expansion draft rules that lead to Vegas’ success (and passionate fan base for the young franchisee).

[uncommon.name]

Originally Posted by MarkDaMan

For decades (since I moved away from Phoenix in 2002) I've followed the never ending drama surrounding the Arizona (Phoenix) Coyotes in the NHL. They've had terrible arena issues, management issues and lack of local community support. They've been playing in a 5,000 seat college arena the past two years and have another "maybe they can, maybe they can't" arena proposal being floated. The NHL, despite having at one point to take over ownership of the bankrupt team, continues to support the team in the market despite there being plenty of other options that could generate more excitement and revenue.

I don't undestand the business decisions of major league sport franchises.

Yeah, that one has frustrated me. I've been wanting Portland to get the Coyotes but I know that's a pipe dream.

[MarkDaMan]

Originally Posted by uncommon.name

Yeah, that one has frustrated me. I've been wanting Portland to get the Coyotes but I know that's a pipe dream.

It shouldn't be a pipe dream. The Pacific Northwest is known to have rabid fans. Portland and Oregon has shown we will sell out our stadiums/arenas. We have one of the largest concentrations of sports apparel companies in the world that would naturally support any team.

We may be a small market population wise, but we would support (and provide healthy returns to) any owner that forms a team here. Incredibly frustrating.

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by MarkDaMan

It shouldn't be a pipe dream. The Pacific Northwest is known to have rabid fans. Portland and Oregon has shown we will sell out our stadiums/arenas. We have one of the largest concentrations of sports apparel companies in the world that would naturally support any team.

We may be a small market population wise, but we would support (and provide healthy returns to) any owner that forms a team here. Incredibly frustrating.

Just moving the Coyotes up to Portland would be a huge improvement for that team.

[uncommon.name]

Originally Posted by MarkDaMan

It shouldn't be a pipe dream. The Pacific Northwest is known to have rabid fans. Portland and Oregon has shown we will sell out our stadiums/arenas. We have one of the largest concentrations of sports apparel companies in the world that would naturally support any team.

We may be a small market population wise, but we would support (and provide healthy returns to) any owner that forms a team here. Incredibly frustrating.

100% and our market isn't even that small. Portland metro population around 2.5 million and media market is ranked #23 by Nielson. We have a larger media footprint than many NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL cities. It frustrates me when "experts" will call Portland a small market or that it can't support more professional sports when it's simply just not true.

Moda Center is already NHL ready from my understanding and Portland has a long history of Professional Hockey. Portland Rosebuds were the first US team to play for the Stanley Cup and anyone who has gone to a Winterhawks game will tell you that it's a great atmosphere, even though it's Juniors.

[uncommon.name]

Originally Posted by urbanlife

Just moving the Coyotes up to Portland would be a huge improvement for that team.

MASSIVE improvement!

[sopdx]

Sorry SLC

https://theathletic.com/5391365/2024/04/04/oakland-athletics-sacramento-ballpark-agreement-2025/

[uncommon.name]

Originally Posted by sopdx

Sorry SLC

https://theathletic.com/5391365/2024/04/04/oakland-athletics-sacramento-ballpark-agreement-2025/

I'm guessing MLB didn't want to guarantee Oakland an expansion team since that was what Oakland was demanding to let them extend their Coliseum lease.

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by uncommon.name

I'm guessing MLB didn't want to guarantee Oakland an expansion team since that was what Oakland was demanding to let them extend their Coliseum lease.

So the A's are officially going to become the AAA's

This is promising news for Portland if Oakland didn't get promised an expansion team. I still don't think the golf course is going be the final choice location, it seems more like a bargaining chip than anything else.

[uncommon.name]

Originally Posted by urbanlife

So the A's are officially going to become the AAA's

This is promising news for Portland if Oakland didn't get promised an expansion team. I still don't think the golf course is going be the final choice location, it seems more like a bargaining chip than anything else.

I agree about the golf course. Unless they turn the commuter rail into a viable connection to the MAX for a mass transit option on the west side of 217 with a station right in that area, I don't see how they can make the golf course work for a MLB stadium site. I do feel like the WES commuter rail corridor there would be an ideal MAX expansion and with existing easements, they could improve and expand the WES Nimbus/Hall platform for MAX. I would think that the troves of people headed to an MLB game would also warrant a pedestrian bridge over 217 in that area with a dedicated path to the stadium district.

[PhillyPDX]

SLC getting the Phoenix Coyotes. I wonder if this positively or negatively affects the SLC MLB push?

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/3994...e-utah-new-name-schedule-players-coaches

Crazy to think SLC could have NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS teams.

[urbanlife]

Originally Posted by PhillyPDX

SLC getting the Phoenix Coyotes. I wonder if this positively or negatively affects the SLC MLB push?

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/3994...e-utah-new-name-schedule-players-coaches

Crazy to think SLC could have NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS teams.

Heck, I am confused that they are getting an NHL team, I guess they have enough of a fan base for that or they have someone wealthy enough that is really into hockey.

[babs]

Originally Posted by urbanlife

Heck, I am confused that they are getting an NHL team, I guess they have enough of a fan base for that or they have someone wealthy enough that is really into hockey.

NHL is will do well in SLC. Far more of a hockey city than Portland is. Plus an aggressive owner who can make it happen. Something Portland lacks.