Territorial Rights Over San Jose Heat Up As City Sues MLB

Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

An all out Battle of the Bay is getting heated, and I’m not taking about a San Francisco Giants vs. Oakland A’s baseball game. According to the SF Chronicle and John Shea, the city of San Jose has decided to sue Major League Baseball. In case that make no sense at all to you, let me give you a really quick recap. Basically, the A’s want a new stadium, since their current dwelling is just short up a dump. The city of Oakland would like to keep the A’s but problem after problem seems to arise for them. Enter San Jose. San Jose is ready and willing to build a stadium, and has the money to do it.

The problem however is this. Back in the 90s, the A’s gave up their territorial rights to the South Bay to the Giants in what the Chronicle referred to as

"a favor because then-Giants owner Bob Lurie was trying to relocate to the South Bay from Candlestick Park."

Despite the fact that the Giants never moved to the South Bay, and the multiple efforts by the A’s to regain rights and move into the South Bay, it appears the favor hasn’t been returned.

San Jose claims that MLB and Bud Selig specifically has stalled the decision-making of allowing them to move into Giants territory, and as a result, they’ve lost millions of dollars and hundreds of jobs.

The Chronicle continues, quoting part of the suit:

"“This action arises from the blatant conspiracy by Major League Baseball to prevent the Athletics Baseball Club from moving to San Jose,” the suit says. “This action challenges – and seeks to remedy – defendants’ violation of state laws and use of the illegal cartel that results from these agreements to eliminate competition in the playing of games in the San Francisco Bay Area.”"

Personally, I’m not sure what my opinion is on the matter. Do I want more Oakland fans invading San Jose? Heck no. Do I think Oakland deserves a better stadium? Of course. That place is a menace to society. I’d prefer they have a new stadium in Oakland, and I’m sure the city of Oakland would prefer that as well. However, territorial rights with two teams this close, and in different leagues, gets a little gray and muddy. I most certainly don’t think the Giants should back down, but if I were MLB, I’m not sure how I would feel about it.

So, I’m wondering what our loyal readers think? Should the Giants give up territorial rights? Should the A’s stick to Oakland or anywhere but San Jose or the South Bay?