Ah, yes. Baseball is almost here, which means the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants will be playing their annual spring finale here in the Bay Area starting on Sunday in Oakland. What wasn’t expected was an increase to parking prices, which the club announced on Saturday. See if you can pick out where Giants fans may be a little upset.
This is one of the stranger releases I’ve ever seen. pic.twitter.com/KwTfFFg7j8
— Jane Lee (@JaneMLB) March 24, 2018
Giants fans on social media (and some of the media people that cover the team) have been either gently poking fun at the A’s for this stunt, or flat-out in an uproar over price discrimination. For a group of fans that likes to claim that the A’s “don’t have any money, lolz” it seems an odd thing to take issue with, given their overflowing bank accounts and adoration for avocado toast.
A’s are so trash hahaha https://t.co/UJy6F26l2c
— Hugh Tomasello (@hughtomasello) March 24, 2018
This is really just a poke at the bear, which is in the spirit of fun. The press release says that parking will be $30 for A’s fans, or $50 for Giants fans. Orange and black supporters can pay the A’s fan price by simply saying “Go A’s.” As I stated on social media, if you refuse to say those two words for $20 off, then you’re a stubborn asshole and I’m glad you’re paying $50.
That is, if this is all more than a PR stunt.
Probably not a good thing! https://t.co/rcaXKooprN
— Mark Mulder (@markmulder20) March 24, 2018
Some fans on Twitter were asking the reporters if the A’s could theoretically get sued for price discrimination. The press release would certainly indicate a form of this, and it’s hard to imagine that the front office would actually impose this charge. Instead, it’s likely an attempt to drum up the ole rivalry once more. The backlash could be that fewer fans actually show up to the game now because of the announced price increase (they could always just take Bart), and that will hurt their food, beverage and merchandise sales, which is likely where the team makes a little more profit anyway.
This makes me laugh.. it’s so amazing and so very Oakland
Get your “go a’s” going giant fans https://t.co/Ie7SjdYT2E— Amanda McCarthy (@Mrs_McCarthy32) March 24, 2018
By comparison, the Giants regularly charge $40 for their parking services, which essentially consists of parking in a dimly lit abandoned warehouse. At least at the Coliseum fans are allowed to tailgate, or as the kids say “pre-game” prior to the contest, adding value to their parking price.
The part of the announcement that is being swept under the rug a bit (which could be another reason why the Giants bit was added in) is that the Oakland Athletics have upped their parking prices by ten dollars, going from $20 to $30.
Does workman’s comp cover the eye rollling injuries of the parking attendants saying, “yeah it’s realyl $50. I just work here bro. “
— Andrew Brinton (@abrinton) March 24, 2018
After tomorrow’s game, my money is on that price increase being the real headline.
Are we not going to discuss that parking went up $10?
— Kimm (@_kimms_) March 24, 2018
Cute marketing, but quasi serious question – could someone sue for discriminatory pricing based on fandom?
— Matt Faust (@Faustmp) March 24, 2018
The A’s should be all over trying to add Bartolo Colon. He’s the innings-eater type they need even when everyone else gets healthy.
— Melissa Lockard (@melissalockard) March 24, 2018
That last tweet was apropos of nothing but should still be shared.