OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) – Lew Wolff is selling all but a small stake in the Oakland Athletics and giving up his managing partner role, turning over leadership of the franchise to John Fisher as the club seeks a new ballpark location.
Wolff will become chairman emeritus and Fisher the managing partner. In addition, team President Michael Crowley is stepping away from day-to-day operations after nearly 20 years in the role but will advise the A’s ownership group. San Jose Earthquakes President Dave Kaval will fill Crowley’s position while also keeping his same position with the MLS team.
Baseball owners approved the leadership transition for Oakland during meetings Thursday in Chicago. Wolff and Fisher bought the A’s on April 1, 2005.
“I am pleased my dear friend of almost 25 years, John Fisher, will be even more involved,” Wolff wrote in an email to The Associated Press. “I will miss Mike Crowley, who has contributed so much to the A’s, and I welcome my ?somewhat newer friend, Dave Kaval, who will bring lots of talent and energy to the A’s. And, I will be able to watch games with a slight degree of less stress, not much but a little!”
Wolff had been committed to keeping the A’s in Oakland but previously wanted to move the team to San Jose and build an intimate new ballpark. Former Commissioner Bud Selig never ruled on whether the A’s can move into the San Francisco Giants’ cherished territory in technology-rich Silicon Valley. New Commissioner Rob Manfred said last month he would like to see the club stay put.