Local government officials aren’t optimistic about the
likelihood of a major league professional sports team relocating to
Morgan Hill as a local property owner suggested this week.
Morgan Hill
Local government officials aren’t optimistic about the likelihood of a major league professional sports team relocating to Morgan Hill as suggested by a local property owner.
Julie Borina Driscoll, general partner and trustee of Borina Trust and Borina Enterprises, LP, wrote letters to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors and the Oakland Raiders football team this week urging them to consider making Morgan Hill their home city for “the benefit of humankind.”
In her letter to the Supervisors, Driscoll explained how a professional sports team with a multi-use professional stadium would stimulate Morgan Hill’s economy. She said specifically the city’s “southeast quadrant” is an ideal location as the land is flat and the city has sought a sports or recreational use for the area.
She described how the large crowds that would be attracted by the San Francisco 49’ers, Oakland Athletics, or the Raiders would spend money at local restaurants and hotels, and would allow people to enjoy the outdoor recreational opportunities offered in South County.
“Has anyone considered approaching the executives of these major professional sports teams, with the idea of bringing a professional level sports arena and stadium to Morgan Hill?” Driscoll’s letter says.
The 49’ers have shown strong interest in moving their home location to Santa Clara, and the Athletics have been eying Fremont as their potential new home.
Supervisor Don Gage, when contacted by telephone, was not dismissive of the idea of bringing another major league sports team to Santa Clara County, but not to Morgan Hill. He said he would bring such a team to one of the county’s parks, like Hellyer Park in South San Jose, because the county already owns the land, and there would be enough room for parking.
“A baseball or football team would generage a lot of revenue,” Gage said.
Driscoll also sent her letter to Morgan Hill officials.
Councilman Greg Sellers said bringing the Athletics to Morgan Hill would be “a dream come true” for him, as he is a die-hard fan. But he noted the difficulty involved in bringing such a high-profile operation to such a small town.
“In a perfect world, it would be great, but I think there’s some significant concerns about the cost to the community,” Sellers said. “If it would cost the community money, I don’t think it would be appropriate right now.”
He noted that typically when major league teams look for a location, they ask for a significant financial contribution from the city, and they need a large fan base.
But, he said if people in Morgan Hill showed a lot of interest, bringing a major league sports team would be worth looking into.
He also suggested that something on a “smaller scale,” such as a minor league team, might be worth considering.
Santa Clara County is currently the home of the San Jose Sharks professional hockey team, and the San Jose Earthquakes soccer team. The Earthquakes are currently in negotiations to bring their office and training headquarters to Morgan Hill, at a site on Condit Road that is across the street from the city’s outdoor sports complex.
Driscoll said in her letter to the Raiders that she owns property on Tennant Avenue, but her mailing address on her letter to the board is in Saratoga.
Driscoll could not be reached as of press time, and neither could spokespeople for the Athletics, Raiders, and 49’ers.
