Former Giants Chief Dubious Of A's Move To South Bay
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – Officials with the San Francisco Giants expect a prolonged fight with the A's if the Oakland team continues to work towards moving to San Jose.
The Giants are holding on tightly to the territorial rights that they have held since 1993.
Former Giants Managing General Partner Peter Magowan told the Chronicle that recent optimism over the A's move to San Jose is "wishful thinking."
Magowan is still part owner of the Giants, and said he discussed the A's potential interest in San Jose with A's owners as far back as 2005.
"What does Magowan, and the rest of these San Francisco millionaires have against San Jose?" asked San Jose Councilman Sam Liccardo, who represents the downtown district where the A's stadium would be built.
KCBS' Matt Bigler Reports:
He said that it doesn't make sense for the Giants to claim territorial rights there.
"There is no other market in the United States in which one team has territorial rights to exclude another team," said Liccardo.
It's been reported that the Giants territorial rights would come up at the next Major League Baseball owners meeting in two weeks, but even A's co-owner Lew Wolff admits it's not on the agenda.
Any change to territorial rights would require the backing of 75 percent of owners.
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