Board says county negotiating team is working daily to close Coliseum deal after public pleas

Public speakers urged the Alameda County Board of Supervisors on March 11 to accelerate action on the Oakland Coliseum transaction, and county counsel reported in closed session that staff had been given negotiating direction and are actively pursuing a deal.

“Right now, the house is on fire,” said a public commenter, urging the board to expedite the Coliseum matter during closed-session public comment. Later, County Counsel reported that the county team had met with the Oakland A’s/Coliseum-related counterpart (OAC) three times in the previous five days and was prepared to meet daily to reach a transaction. Counsel said the board voted 4–0, with Supervisor Marquez excused, to sign on to amicus briefs in unrelated cases and supported staff direction on the OAC negotiations.

Supporters in the audience, including labor and local firefighter representatives, told the board the Coliseum sale or redevelopment could create jobs, broaden the tax base and revitalize the region. "Oakland needs this," said Seth Ollier, president of Oakland Firefighters Local 55, during public comment.

County counsel said the negotiating team is focused on closing a deal on terms that serve the county and community. The board did not disclose final terms in open session; counsel said staff would continue negotiations and authorized limited supervisor participation in negotiations as availability allows.

Next steps: counsel and the county negotiating team will continue discussions with OAC and report progress to the board; no final transaction was announced on the public record.