World Series Faces Conflict in Scheduling

The twice-delayed World Series might be headed for more difficulties because Mayor Art Agnos of San Francisco and baseball Commissioner Fay Vincent did not consult Oakland officials when deciding to resume the championships.

Games 6 and 7, scheduled for next Tuesday and Wednesday, if needed, could cause a conflict with Rolling Stones concerts Nov. 4-5 at the Oakland Coliseum, according to a report in today’s San Francisco Chronicle.

Vincent said he did not consult Oakland Mayor Lionel Wilson, who said: “On one hand, it seems that the importance of the World Series . . . raises serious questions whether it should be played. On the other hand, there is a need to release tension.”

Agnos and Vincent announced Sunday that Game 3 between the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics will be held Friday. It was originally scheduled for last Tuesday, but was postponed when a major earthquake struck the Bay Area shortly before the game’s start. Game 3 was then rescheduled for today, but San Francisco officials wanted to delay the start because of a storm that complicated the city’s relief efforts.

The latest rescheduling has resulted in controversy because the Rolling Stones’ contract calls for the Oakland Coliseum to be vacant for five days before the weekend concert. Bill Graham, a promoter for the Rolling Stones, said it takes from three to five days to prepare a facility for their concert.

About 120,000 tickets have been sold for the concerts.

Coliseum president George Vukasin told the Chronicle he has not been contacted about the Series change.

“I’d like to think we could work out something, but we can’t if we’re not talking,” he said.

Vincent, however, said baseball would let Walter J. Haas, chief operating officer of the Oakland Athletics, and Sandy Alderson, the team’s general manager, discuss the situation with stadium officials.

“We felt the first consideration had to be the availability of Candlestick Park and the problems in San Francisco,” Vincent said.

Games 4 and 5, if necessary, are scheduled in Candlestick Saturday and Sunday. The Athletics are leading the Giants in the best-of-seven Series, two games to none.

Rich Levin, baseball’s spokesman, said of the controversy: “We’re aware of it and the A’s are dealing with it. It’s their issue and we don’t foresee it being a problem. All parties know each other well, and we’re hopeful they can reach an accommodation.”

Haas said he talked briefly to Vukasin, adding: “I’ve always felt that baseball had priority at the Coliseum. These are unusual times, and I’m sure something can be worked out.”

Vukasin said that perhaps the best compromise would be to play Games 6 and 7 Monday and Tuesday, if the Rolling Stones and Graham agree.

Graham said he was willing to discuss possible alternatives, but added: “They (the Stones) have the most elaborate set in rock history. It’s possible they could do it in two days if they just used a stage.”

Graham also suggested switching the concerts to Nov. 5-6.

“But the Stones have other commitments, too,” he said.

Baseball officials want Games 6 and 7 to be held Tuesday and Wednesday, in part to avoid a potential conflict with ABC’s “Monday Night Football.”

In 1986, Game 7 between the Boston Red Sox and New York Mets was played on a Monday night, and ABC’s football game suffered its lowest Monday night rating.

The decision to resume the Series also avoided a major financial hassle that could have cost baseball $46 million.

A clause in the ABC’s contract with major league baseball states that the network must be reimbursed if it cannot televise at least four World Series night games for reasons beyond its control.

Industry analysts claim the Series is valued at about $93 million, which means the network might have asked for more than $46 million because it anticipates at least a five-game Series.

The final figure would have been negotiated, Bryan Burns, baseball’s senior vice president of broadcasting, told the Atlanta Constitution. He said the network did not discuss money when officials were deciding whether to resume the Series.

Times staff writer Ross Newhan contributed to this story.