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APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY
_______________________________
CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. _______________ C.M.S.
INTRODUCED BY COUNCILMEMBER REBECCA KAPLAN
AND MAYOR SHENG THAO
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING CONGRESS MEMBER BARBARA LEE
AND CONGRESS MEMBER MARK DESAULNIER’S, “MONEYBALL
ACT,” LEGISLATION THAT WOULD 1) REQUIRE ANY
PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL CLUB THAT RELOCATES MORE THAN
TWENTY-FIVE MILES FROM ITS PREVIOUS LOCATION TO
COMPENSATE THE STATE AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES THEY
RELOCATE FROM; AND 2) SUBJECT MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL TO
ANTI-TRUST LAWS SHOULD CLUBS NOT COMPLY
WHEREAS, Major League Baseball (MLB) holds a unique antitrust exemption, acknowledging the significant value that individual teams bring to their respective home communities; and
WHEREAS, the bonds between professional baseball franchises and their communities play a vital role in the legal and public policy basis for this antitrust exemption; and WHEREAS, the Oakland Athletics (A’s) have been an integral part of the City of Oakland for over 50 years, forging a deep and enduring relationship with the community; and WHEREAS, the A’s have contributed to the economic growth, cultural vibrancy, and civic pride of Oakland, becoming an iconic representation of the City’s identity; and WHEREAS, relocation of professional baseball clubs to a new home field more than 25 miles away from their previous location can sever these crucial bonds and have adverse effects on communities that have support and benefited from their presence; and WHEREAS, it is necessary to protect the interests and economic well -being of Oakland in the event of the A’s potential relocation; and
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WHEREAS, Representatives Barbara Lee (CA -12) and Mark DeSaulnier (CA -10) have introduced the “Moneyball Act” in response to the active efforts of the A’s to relocate to Las Vegas; and
WHEREAS, the “Moneyball Act” seeks to address the potential relocation of professional baseball clubs by requiring owners to compensate the State and local au thorities they move away from, thereby ensuring communities are not left behind when franchises prioritize their financial gain over the welfare of the community; and
WHEREAS, the “Moneyball Act” will combat corporate greed in sports and protect the interests of communities across the county facing similar challenges to those the City of Oakland is facing; and
WHEREAS, the “Moneyball Act” seeks to rectify Oakland’s current situation by ensuring fair compensation for cities that suffer the loss of revenue, jobs, and commerce when a professional baseball club decides to relocate; and
WHEREAS, Major League Baseball currently enjoys an antitrust exemption granted by the Supreme Court, which was established a century ago to prevent frequent changes of franchises between cities; and
WHEREAS, the potential incentivization of professional baseball clubs to leave their home cities and relocate to other markets raises questions about the continued validity of the legal and public policy bases for Major Leag ue Baseball’s antitrust exemption, suggesting that the application of the Sherman Act to the MLB should be considered; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: that the Oakland City Council expresses its strong support for the Moneyball Act; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: that the City acknowledges that the antitrust exemption granted to Major League Baseball is a direct result of the unique value that individual teams bring to their communities, and the City Council reaffirms that breaking these bonds jeopardizes the legal and public policy basis for such exemption; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED: that the City affirms that the compensation provided under this act, based on state, local, and tribal tax revenue levied in the ten years prior to the relocation, is essential for mitigating the economic impact on former host communities, including the effect that the A’s have had on Oakland; be it
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FURTHER RESOLVED: That the City emphasizes the personal responsibility of club officers should they attempt to evade compensation required by the Moneyball Act by disbanding the club, thereby ensuring accountability and safeguarding the interests of Oakland and other host communities.
IN COUNCIL, OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA,
PASSED BY THE FOLLOWING VOTE:
AYES - FIFE, GALLO, JENKINS, KALB, KAPLAN, RAMACHANDRAN, REID, AND
PRESIDENT FORTUNATO BAS
NOES –
ABSENT –
ABSTENTION –
ATTEST:
ASHA REED
City Clerk and Clerk of the Council of the
City of Oakland, California