In response to public inquiries and curiosity about the breakdown of negotiations between the City of Oakland and the Oakland Athletics regarding the proposed Waterfront Ballpark District at Howard Terminal, the city updated their FAQ page to provide clarification on the matter. This update sheds light on the events that led to the sudden end of negotiations, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the once-promising partnership.

According to the FAQs, on April 19, 2023, the A’s announced a “binding” agreement to purchase a 49-acre site for a new ballpark and ancillary development west of the Las Vegas Strip from Red Rock Resorts. They declared a shift in focus from Oakland to Las Vegas, hoping to find a better deal and a long-term home for the team. This shift was supported by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, which came as a surprise to Oakland's city officials and residents alike.

The announcement occurred right in the middle of intense negotiations between the City of Oakland and the A’s, led by a mutually selected mediator. The hard work and progress made in these negotiations were meant to keep the A’s in Oakland; however, the A's announcement of their new Las Vegas focus left Oakland officials shocked and disappointed.

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao decided to cease negotiations with the A's, expressing her disappointment in their decision to prioritize Las Vegas over their long-standing relationship with Oakland and its dedicated fans. Despite the City's efforts to negotiate mutually beneficial terms, Mayor Thao was frustrated by the A’s apparent lack of commitment to staying in Oakland and using the process to leverage a better deal in Las Vegas. She did not want to continue playing this game at the expense of fans and residents who deserved better.

Only twenty days after the announcement, the A's reportedly abandoned their plans for the Red Rock Resorts site, opting now for a 9-acre site on the Las Vegas Strip, with a smaller 30,000-seat ballpark. According to the Nevada Independent, the A's are seeking $395 million in public financing for their new Las Vegas ballpark, a far cry from the Oakland proposal that did not request any public subsidy for the ballpark's construction.

Oakland's leadership, including Mayor Thao, is interested in a partnership that respects the relationship between the fans, the city, and the team, and remains committed to efforts to keep the A's in Oakland. The significant strides made in Oakland, like raising millions for offsite infrastructure, agreeing to form an infrastructure financing district for the project, and successfully defending an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in court, all demonstrate the dedication the city had towards a future for the A's in Oakland.

As for the future of the Howard Terminal site, the Port's Exclusive Negotiation Term Sheet expired on May 12, 2023, and the Port is no longer obligated to negotiate solely with the A's in regard to its redevelopment. The City of Oakland remains committed to the idea of a new waterfront ballpark district and is open to working with potential developers or ownership groups with an interest in Howard Terminal.