In a move that has caused disappointment among baseball fans, the Oakland Athletics have blocked the city's new minor league team, the B's, from playing a game at the iconic Oakland Coliseum. The A's, who hold exclusive rights to the stadium for professional baseball, invoked a clause in their contract preventing other teams from utilizing the venue.

The co-founder of the B's, Paul Freedman, revealed that negotiations had begun in July and by December, they had signed a lease and paid a deposit to secure their spot in the Coliseum. However, a few days after Christmas, the A's informed them that their contract prohibited other professional baseball teams from playing at the stadium.

"We are disappointed in this development as we believe this would have been a great event for Oakland," Freedman said. "Regardless of this setback, nothing will stop us from turning the page on a new chapter for baseball in the Town."

Freedman mentioned that he and co-founder Bryan Carmel had exchanged numerous emails to secure the special night at a venue that held great significance for them and many others. Their signed contract and deposit payment were done through communication with ASM Global, the venue management company leasing the ballpark to the A's until December 2024.

Although the A's recently received approval from MLB owners to relocate to Las Vegas and build a new stadium on the Las Vegas Strip by 2028, their license agreement with the Coliseum Authority grants them exclusive rights to play at the Oakland Coliseum.

"We are happy to work with the JPA [joint powers agency] on other ways to celebrate and promote professional baseball in Oakland," stated David Rinetti, the A's longtime Vice President of Stadium Operations, in an email shared with The Associated Press on Wednesday.

This decision by the Athletics has sparked conversations about the future of baseball in Oakland, as fans are left wondering how the departure of the A's and their exclusive rights will affect the city's baseball landscape. As the B's continue their preparations for their inaugural season, they remain determined to find alternative ways to engage and celebrate the sport within the community.

It remains to be seen how this clash of interests between the Athletics and the B's will unfold, but Oakland baseball fans are hopeful that a resolution favoring the growth and promotion of professional baseball in the city can be reached.