MESA, Ariz. (AP) – New baseball commissioner Rob Manfred says addressing the Oakland Athletics’ desire for a new ballpark is a top priority list, though he’s unsure what influence his office can have on the matter.
Manfred, who replaced Bud Selig in January, met with A’s players Monday as part of his spring training tour,
Selig formed a panel in March 2009 to examine the issue, but the panel never issued a public report.
Manfred says Major League Baseball will continue to be involved but prefers to let the A’s and city of Oakland try to find a solution.
The Giants have prevented the A’s from building a ballpark in San Jose, which is part of San Francisco’s territory. San Jose’s antitrust claims in a lawsuit against MLB were dismissed, and the city says it intends to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case.