San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee today said that he is awaiting a decision from the Golden State Warriors following reports that the pro basketball team is considering a move from across the Bay in Oakland.
Lee has openly wooed the Warriors to return to the city where they played for nearly a decade until 1971, when they moved to Oakland.
The team has a lease at Oracle Arena that runs through 2016. The arena is next door to the O.co Coliseum, which houses the Oakland A’s baseball team and Oakland Raiders football team.
Speaking after an event honoring House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi this afternoon, Lee said, “We’ve put our best foot forward for the Warriors to consider San Francisco” and added that “we’re going to patiently wait for their decision.”
Various media outlets have reported that the Warriors are committed to moving to San Francisco and are planning a news conference to make a major announcement later this week.
A team spokesperson was not immediately available to comment on the reports.
Lee said an arena deal would not be funded by taxpayer money and said he thinks San Francisco is an attractive option for the team because “our city has got that whole pedigree of success.”
Pelosi also talked to reporters about the team’s possible move back to San Francisco.
“I really hope that the Warriors do come, I love going to the games and it would be great having them closer by,” she said. “I’m rooting for the announcement to be made … it’s pretty exciting.”
Oakland Assistant City Administrator Fred Blackwell released a statement about the reports saying that Oakland city officials are still committed to keeping the team in their city.
“We are still in direct dialogue with the Warriors about the opportunity to build a new arena. We have always been aware that they are exploring all their options, including a San Francisco site,” Blackwell said.
“We continue to believe that Coliseum City offers the best new home to the Warriors, Oakland A’s and Oakland Raiders,” he said.
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
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