But if a new stadium is built and the team stays, Oakland could gain more than 1,600 new jobs, and over the next three decades the cash-strapped city and county governments would collect nearly $1 billion in new property taxes.
The $100,000 study was paid for by a coalition of local businesses and community groups lobbying to keep the team in Oakland. It comes as Major League Baseball is expected to decide soon whether to revoke the Giants' territorial rights to Santa Clara County and allow the A's to move to San Jose, where owner Lew Wolff wants to relocate his team.
Oakland has proposed three potential sites for a new stadium, but insiders say baseball officials particularly are interested in a Jack London Square waterfront property.
It is unclear exactly how much Oakland or Alameda County would finance, but the study's author, Claude Gruen, said local government would likely contribute millions in order to pay for the land and infrastructure, like road improvements and parking.
Mayor Ron Dellums said he expects baseball officials to make a decision within the next three to four months.
