OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Athletics are staying put under new leadership and determined to find the right location for an intimate new ballpark that brings together the community with a great vibe for fans. One that will be privately funded and, in time, increase revenue and improve the on-field product.Its a big, bold plan. Committed new team President Dave Kaval just pulled off something similar in his other job: Building the San Jose Earthquakes second-year, state-of-the art Avaya Stadium, which just so happens to boast the largest outdoor bar in North America.Kaval is eager to get started evaluating several sites, communicate with city and business leaders and even open his office for two hours a week to anyone who wants to chat about the plan for this low-budget franchise.I know theyre starving for a place to call home, Kaval, also president of the MLS Earthquakes, said Thursday when he was formally introduced.He envisions a unique venue that honors the As winning past with statues of Hall of Famers Rickey Henderson and Reggie Jackson.Lew Wolff is selling all but a small stake in the As and giving up his managing partner role, turning it over to John Fisher.Wolff will become chairman emeritus and Fisher the managing partner. In addition, prior team President Michael Crowley is stepping away from day-to-day operations after nearly 20 years in the role but will advise the As ownership group. Kaval fills Crowleys position while also keeping his same position with the MLS team but focusing the majority of his time now on the As ballpark plan while restructuring his leadership team with the Quakes.Baseball owners approved the leadership transition for Oakland during meetings Thursday in Chicago. Wolff and Fisher bought the As 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 As, and I welcome my ?somewhat newer friend, Dave Kaval, who will bring lots of talent and energy to the As. 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 As in Oakland but previously wanted to move the team to San Jose and build a new ballpark. Former Commissioner Bud Selig never ruled on whether the As could 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.Look, I think that John has been really engaged for over a year on the stadium project, Manfred said Thursday in Chicago. Hes made it his project. Hes really focused on Oakland as a result of some direction Ive given him with respect to my view of that market.While the NBA Golden State Warriors are planning for a new arena in San Francisco and the NFL Raiders are looking to relocate to Las Vegas, the As could be it for the East Bay.Whats critical is we need to find a place to bring this community together, Kaval said. The other teams look like they might be leaving. We might be the only team left.Manfred hinted at change when he spoke during the NL Division Series between the Cubs and Giants at San Franciscos AT&T Park, saying more would be known about the As situation soon. Manfred noted that Fisher has become more heavily involved in the ballpark planning and has made multiple trips to New York to meet with Manfred and MLB.In addition, Manfred said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf told him the city is committed to keeping the As in town -- and Kaval will meet with her and other key leaders soon.The small-budget As won consecutive AL West titles in 2012 and `13, losing in five games of the division series to the Detroit Tigers in both years. But they still consider a new ballpark the top priority to be a regular contender. Oaklands payroll of $87 million, pending award bonuses and adjustments, is above only Tampa Bay and Milwaukee.The run-down Coliseum, shared with the Raiders and the last venue with both Major League Baseball and football, had multiple sewage problems in 2013 that caused damage during games.For now, Kaval wants to improve the fan experience at the Coliseum.I know its maybe lipstick on a pig, he said.---AP Sports Writer Jay Cohen in Chicago contributed to this report. Gerald Green Jersey . -- Eastern Kentucky thrives off creating havoc for others. Malcolm Brogdon Jersey . As the crowd erupted, Davis knocked the ball off the glass and back into his hands. With 1:14 to go in overtime, Davis sixth block also became his 17th rebound. That, along with his 32 points -- which tied a career high -- proved too much for Denver to overcome, and the Pelicans held on for their third straight victory, 111-107 on Sunday night. https://www.cheappacers.com/ . 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A person familiar with the hearing, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press on Saturday that Manfred testified the sport wasnt concerned whether Bosch distributed performance-enhancing drugs to minors because MLBs interest was his relationship with players under investigation.He scored 24 Premier League goals last season and was the second-highest scorer in the top flight, so it should be no surprise that Arsene Wenger is interested in Jamie Vardy. But would the Leicester forward suit Arsenals style of play, and is he what they need to challenge for the title? We look at the arguments for and against...YES - Arsenal lacked goals last season, Vardy would provide them We didnt have anybody with 20 goals in the league, so that is a handicap. Arsene Wenger didnt gloss over the facts when reflecting on Arsenals failed title challenge last season.Their top scorer in the league was Olivier Giroud with 16, three of which came on the final day against Aston Villa. Behind Giroud, Alexis Sanchez weighed in with 13, Mesut Ozil scored six and Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott got five goals apiece. Arsenal are interested in signing Jamie Vardy, according to Sky sources. But what has he said about a possible move from Leicester? The highest-scoring Arsenal striker behind Giroud was Danny Welbeck, with four.As much as there have been calls for the Gunners to strengthen the centre of defence and bolster their midfield - they have bolstered the latter with the signing of Granit Xhaka - goals were clearly a problem last season.They were the lowest scorers in the top four and their struggles were summed up by two games in the second half of the campaign - home draws with Southampton and Crystal Palace.Against Southampton in early February, the Gunners had 67% possession and 22 shots, but failed to score for the third game in a row as it finished goalless. Is Morata the answer? Arsenal have been linked with a move for Alvaro Morata, but is he the striker theyre looking for? Two months later, Sanchez gave the Gunners the lead against Palace but they failed to press home their advantage, despite 72% possession and 21 shots, and drew 1-1.So where would 29-year-old Vardy fit in at the Emirates?Presumably, if he joins, he will replace Giroud in the starting XI. Last season, Giroud had a conversion rate of 20%, while Vardys was 25.8%. Vardy had a better shooting accuracy and his minutes-per-goal record was 130.79, compared to 151.5 for Giroud.In December, Wenger called Vardy the best goal-scorer in the league, adding he thinks the striker is worth £30m. We need to stop the long balls and the defenders need to read his game and drop off when its needed. Wenger when asked how he will handle Vardys pace You have many players under him who have been paid much more, and who dont score that number of goals. Without a doubt, he is worth that money today.If there are question marks over his age, remember that Ian Wright did not join the Gunners until he was nearly 28, having also played non-league football a few years earlier.Wenger has called Vardy an explosive player, like Sanchez, and said this when reflecting on the season: Our movement has to be sharper and our efficiency in the final third has to be better.Vardy should help improve both of those facets.NO - Vardy would not suit Arsenals style of playThere are a couple of question marks over Vardys potential signing.Firstly, can he consistently deliver, season after season? So far in his career,, he has not managed to do it.ddddddddddddAfter scoring 31 goals for Fleetwood Town in 36 Conference Premier appearances (34 starts, two as substitute) in 2011/12, Vardy followed up with just four in 26 games in the Championship for Leicester the next season (17 starts, nine as sub). Vardys goalscoring record Season Club League starts Goals 2011/12 Fleetwood Town 34 31 2012/13 Leicester 17 4 2013/14 Leicester 36 14 2014/15 Leicester 26 5 2015/16 Leicester 36 24 In 2013/14, he netted 16 in 37 appearances (36 starts, one as sub) in the second tier, then five in 34 matches in the Premier League in 2014/15 (26 starts, eight as sub), before scoring 24 in 36 starts in 2015/16.Perhaps he has just taken a season to adjust to the new division each time; perhaps next season he will improve on his 24-goal haul.But does he suit Arsenals style?Leicester last season were at their best when they were counter-attacking at pace, winning the ball and then quickly moving it up the pitch. To witness Vardy at his most effective, just watch the two goals he scored against Sunderland in April.For the first, the Foxes won the ball in their own half, Danny Drinkwater played it over the top and Vardy ran clear to score. The second, late in the game, again came from a counter, with Vardy this time bursting past a defender and finishing. Both goals were direct. Teams would come to Anfield and sit back. Id sometimes only get space if I went wide. If Jamie Vardy did go to a top club, I feel hed get the same problems. Craig Bellamy How often do Arsenal get chances like that? Most of the time, especially at home, they face teams camped around their own box, with no space behind at all. When sides did this to Leicester towards the end of last season, Vardys goals largely dried up.Speaking to Sky Sports in December, Craig Bellamy recalled how he struggled for goals after moving to Liverpool.Teams would come to Anfield and sit back. Rafa Benitez always wanted me on the last man, trying to create space, always looking to go in behind but at different times, especially at home, there wasnt space. Id sometimes only get space if I went wide. If Jamie Vardy did go to a top club, I feel hed get the same problems.Would Arsenal change their style to accommodate Vardy? To get the best out of him, they may have to. Also See: Arsenal want to sign Vardy Arsenal finally spending big? Leicester season review Transfer Centre ' ' '