US: San Jose takes another antitrust swing at MLB

As the city of San Jose, California looks to allow Major League Baseball team the Oakland A’s to move into a new stadium in the city, reports say it has both planned to appeal one case and filed another regarding allegations that the MLB is harming San Jose’s economy by preventing the team’s move.

San Jose filed a notice in the 9thUS Circuit Court of Appeals Thursday announcing plans to appeal an earlier ruling that dismissed the antitrust case against the MLB.

In another case, the city filed a new lawsuit against the MLB in Santa Cruz.

The A’s have an option of purchasing land in San Jose on which the team could build its new stadium to replace its current one in Oakland. But the city claims the MLB is blocking any chance of a new stadium’s construction and, therefore, interfering with the growth of San Jose’s economy.

In its new law suit, the city argues that the “MLB has made it clear that it plans to oppose and prevent the relocation of the Oakland Athletics to San Jose.” The city is seeking financial compensation for the alleged damages, and reports say it is looking for potentially millions.

Regarding its appeal, San Jose will fight a decision made last October that dismissed antitrust claims against the MLB; in the case, the MLB argued that a 1922 Supreme Court decision offers antitrust exemption to baseball. San Jose, however, argues that decision does not apply in this case.

Full Content: KTVU

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