Hardball negotiations between the Oakland Athletics baseball team and the local city council has sparked speculation that the team could move to Montreal.
Oakland city councillor Larry Reid has raised the possibility that the baseball A’s could pack up and move to Montreal if a lease renewal agreement is not ironed out between the council and the team.
Reid named Montreal and San Antonio, Texas as the two most likely destinations for the Oakland Athletics if the city does not offer the team a 10-year lease extension at the Oakland Coliseum.
He said that Montreal has proven that it can support a major league team and San Antonio has the Alamobile, a domed stadium which could accommodate a major league baseball team.
The Athletics could very well remain in the Bay area, however, as the Alameda County Board of Supervioors - one of two bodies required to renew the lease - has already okayed an extension.
But the councillors are hoping to get a better deal, including a share of advertising proceeds from the new $10 million scoreboard.
MLB commissioner Bud Selig has authorized the Athletics to seek a new city in case the deal falls through.
