EXCLUSIVE: Mayor Sheng Thao says she's fighting for A's to stay in Oakland
OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- What could have been a very dark day in the history of Oakland sports, turned into a bit of beaming optimism as Nevada's Legislative Session closed without a ballpark vote.
On Monday night, Nevada legislators had the chance to vote on a bill that could have brought Major League Baseball to Las Vegas.
They chose against it. Instead, focusing on their state budget and other priorities.
RELATED: Nevada lawmakers address plan for proposed A's ballpark in Las Vegas
Republican Governor Joe Lombardo has called for a special session, but the introduction of bills are determined by the Democratic lawmakers, who aren't prepared to push through a vote on an item that has over 70% disapproval from the public in Nevada.4
For now, the window of opportunity for Oakland to keep the A's has cracked open just a smidge. Oakland still has the structure of a deal in place to keep the A's, they just need the team's ownership to return to the table -- or sell the team.
As of now, no vote is scheduled to bring Major League Baseball to Las Vegas. The ballpark bill named Senate Bill 509 could eventually see its day in the Nevada sun, but with a 29% approval rating among Nevada citizens, it plummeted in priority.
VIDEO: Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao still wants to play ball with the A's
In an exclusive interview with Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao on Tuesday, ABC7's Casey Pratt says she is still ready to play ball.
"I can tell you right here, right now, that I have been doing so much work in the background. I mean, I do not make it easy for them to try to push this legislation through," she said.
The mayor says she has been in contact with legislators out in Nevada, calling different people and calling different labor unions to make it harder for the A's to leave Oakland.
"We want the Oakland A's here. I'm fighting for the Oakland A's. The fans are fighting for the Oakland A's. And why not here in Oakland where it's diverse, one of the most diverse cities in the nation. And I know MLB has this great concept of wanting to diversify," Thao said.
Mayor Thao said Oakland needs a baseball team.
"We deserve a baseball team. And we want the Oakland A's to be rooted here. Whether it's with this current ownership or with the new ownership."
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