{{Short description|American baseball executive (born 1975)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}} {{Infobox person | name = Dave Kaval | image = Dave Kaval speaks at Oakland Athletics World Series anniversary event, Aug 25 2019 (cropped).jpg | image_upright = | caption = Kaval in 2019 | birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name --> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1975|10|28}} | birth_place = Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | education = Stanford University (BA 1998 and MBA 2003) | occupation = Sports executive | years_active = 2003–2024 | known_for = Former President of the Athletics | spouse = Maria Fredricsson | children = 2 | signature = }}
'''David A. Kaval'''<ref name="gsbprofile">{{Cite web |url=https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/david-kaval |title=David A.Kaval Lecturer in Management |website=Stanford Graduate School of Business |access-date=February 25, 2020}}</ref> (born October 28, 1975) is an American sports executive. He was the seventh president of the Athletics of Major League Baseball, from 2016 to 2024. He has previously served as president of Major League Soccer club San Jose Earthquakes and founded the Golden Baseball League.
==Early life and education== Kaval was born on October 28, 1975,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://jointventure.org/read-more-profiles/1334-meet-dave-kaval-san-jose-earthquakes |title=Meet Dave Kaval, San Jose Earthquakes |last=Jennings |first=Duffy |date=December 2015 |website=jointventure.org |access-date=February 25, 2020}}</ref> to Jim and Paula Kaval.<ref name='merccommish'>{{Cite news |last=Almond |first=Elliott |date=December 27, 2016 |title=Dave Kaval: The man commissioned to save the Oakland Athletics |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2016/12/27/dave-kaval-the-man-commissioned-to-save-the-oakland-athletics/ |newspaper=The Mercury News |location=San Jose, California |access-date=February 25, 2020|quote=His father’s roots are Slovak, his mother’s Italian.}}</ref> Jim, a member of the Peace Corps and real estate entrepreneur, and Paula, a realtor and school teacher, raised Kaval in Cleveland, Ohio.<ref name='merccommish'/> He is of Slovak and Italian descent.<ref name='merccommish'/> Kaval attended Stanford University and received a Bachelor of Arts in international relations in 1998.<ref name='gsbprofile'/> He later returned to Stanford for an MBA and did a national security budgets summer internship for the George W. Bush administration.<ref name='merccommish'/>
==Career== ===Early career and the Golden Baseball League=== Following Stanford graduation, on June 20, 1998, Kaval and a former classmate began their trip to visit all 30 Major League Baseball ballparks in 38 days.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=September–October 1998 |title=Boys of Summer |url=https://stanfordmag.org/contents/boys-of-summer |magazine=STANFORD magazine |access-date=February 25, 2020}}</ref><ref name='chrondiamond'>{{Cite news |last=Simon |first=Mark |date=March 31, 2001 |title=Diamond-Studded Summer / Stanford grads who hit every major league ballpark tell all |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Diamond-Studded-Summer-Stanford-grads-who-hit-2936790.php |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=February 25, 2020}}</ref> The trip ultimately led to the publication of ''The Summer that Saved Baseball'' which chronicled their journey.<ref name='chrondiamond'/><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/books/summer-saved-baseball |title=The Summer that Saved Baseball |website=Stanford Graduate School of Business |access-date=February 25, 2020}}</ref>
Kaval founded the independent Golden Baseball League in 2003 as part of a class project.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Leuty |first=Ron |date=March 30, 2017 |title=A's President Dave Kaval on Quakes, A's, and search for new stadium site |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/news/2017/03/30/dave-kaval-oakland-as-san-jose-earthquakes-mlb-mls.html |magazine=San Francisco Business Times |access-date=October 26, 2020}}</ref> The teams were run on just a $90,000 salary cap per season.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?sportCat=mlb&page=caple/100818_golden_baseball_league |title=Golden Baseball League wackiness |last=Caple |first=Jim |author-link=Jim Caple |website=ESPN |access-date=October 26, 2020}}</ref> In October 2010, Kaval left to become the president of Major League Soccer team San Jose Earthquakes which raised questions as to the future of the league.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Souders |first=Travis |date=October 6, 2010 |title=Kaval"s resignation leaves questions for Outlaws, GBL |url=https://www.thereporter.com/2010/10/06/kavals-resignation-leaves-questions-for-outlaws-gbl/ |newspaper=The Reporter |location=Vacaville, California |access-date=October 26, 2020}}</ref> Those questions became answered when the league merged with two other leagues the year after Kaval's departure and ultimately ceased operations in 2012.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Almond |first=Elliott |date=December 27, 2016 |title=Dave Kaval a worthy savior for A's |url=https://www.santacruzsentinel.com/2016/12/27/dave-kaval-a-worthy-savior-for-as/ |newspaper=Santa Cruz Sentinel |access-date=October 26, 2020}}</ref>
===San Jose Earthquakes=== Kaval was named president of the San Jose Earthquakes in October 2010, taking over from Michael Crowley.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2010/10/06/san-jose-earthquakes-hire-new-team-president/ |title=San Jose Earthquakes Hire New Team President |date=October 6, 2010 |website=KPIX-TV |access-date=October 26, 2020}}</ref> During his time with the Earthquakes, the team won the 2012 Supporters' Shield, but failed to make the playoffs in every other season he oversaw.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2012/10/21/san-jose-clinch-supporters-shield-home-field-advantage-throughout-playoffs |title=San Jose clinch Supporters' Shield, home-field advantage throughout playoffs |last=Lalas |first=Greg |author-link=Greg Lalas |date=October 20, 2012 |website=Major League Soccer |access-date=October 26, 2020}}</ref> Despite numerous delays, the team was able to open Earthquakes Stadium in February 2015, which was the first soccer-specific stadium for the team.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Hepler |first=Lauren |date=February 7, 2013 |title=San Jose Earthquakes set new stadium construction start date |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2013/02/07/san-jose-earthquakes-set-new-stadium.html |magazine=Silicon Valley Business Journal |access-date=October 26, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sjearthquakes.com/post/2013/07/29/new-stadium-now-set-open-second-half-2014-season |title=New Stadium now set to open in second half of 2014 season |date=July 29, 2013 |website=San Jose Earthquakes |access-date=October 26, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sjearthquakes.com/post/2013/09/13/earthquakes-new-stadium-will-now-open-start-2015-mls-season |title=Earthquakes new stadium will now open at start of 2015 MLS season |date=September 13, 2013 |website=San Jose Earthquakes |access-date=October 26, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sjearthquakes.com/post/2015/03/01/recap-quakes-3-galaxy-2 |title=Recap: Quakes 3, Galaxy 2 |date=February 28, 2015 |website=San Jose Earthquakes |access-date=October 26, 2020}}</ref>
It was announced in June 2017 that Kaval was replaced as team president by Tom Fox.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Almond |first=Elliot |date=May 31, 2017 |title=Exclusive: Earthquakes hire EPL executive as new president |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/05/31/exclusive-earthquakes-hire-epl-executive-as-new-president/ |newspaper=The Mercury News |location=San Jose, California |access-date=October 26, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2017/06/01/san-jose-earthquakes-hire-tom-fox-team-president |title=San Jose Earthquakes hire Tom Fox as team president |last=Rodriguez |first=Alicia |date=June 1, 2017 |website=Major League Soccer |access-date=October 26, 2020}}</ref>
===Oakland Athletics=== [[File:As-Flag-Raising.jpg|thumb|Kaval with Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf at Oakland City Hall during the 2018 season]] On November 17, 2016, Kaval was named the seventh president in Oakland Athletics history.<ref name='ssnewas'>{{Cite news |last=Slusser |first=Susan |author-link=Susan Slusser |date=November 17, 2016 |title=New A's president Dave Kaval focused on stadium, community |url=https://www.sfgate.com/athletics/article/New-A-s-president-Dave-Kaval-focused-on-10621958.php |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |access-date=November 13, 2020}}</ref> Kaval initially made a positive impression with fans upon assuming the position when he attempted to be more open to fans through scheduled meeting times, a tactic he previously employed with the San Jose Earthquakes.<ref name='ssnewas'/> The A's also made fan and capital improvements to the Oakland Coliseum such as removing tarps which covered the Coliseum's third deck, creating a food truck rally with outdoor games, and investing $1M in upgrades to an all-access club called Shibe Park Tavern.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Petersen |first=Gary |date=April 13, 2017 |title=A's new president changing team's culture one tarp at a time |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/04/13/as-new-president-changing-teams-culture-one-tarp-at-a-time/ |newspaper=The Mercury News |location=San Jose, California |accessdate=September 27, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Slusser |first=Susan |author-link=Susan Slusser |date=February 19, 2017 |title=A new Coliseum experience: food trucks, Shibe Park tavern |url=https://www.sfgate.com/athletics/article/A-new-Coliseum-experience-food-trucks-Shibe-10944263.php |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |accessdate=September 27, 2021}}</ref> Kaval's COO, Chris Giles, also spearheaded a membership campaign, "A's Access", which granted members with benefits that surpassed that of previous season ticket holders.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.athleticsnation.com/news/2018/7/31/17633428/oakland-athletics-season-ticket-program-ends-announce-access-membership-for-2019 |title=A's end season ticket program, announce 'A's Access' membership alternative for 2019 |last=Hart |first=Torrey |date=July 31, 2018 |website=athleticsnation.com |accessdate=September 27, 2021}}</ref>
====New ballpark efforts==== {{Main|Oakland Ballpark}} Kaval sought a new stadium for the Oakland A's. In September 2017, Kaval announced that the A's had selected site near downtown Oakland owned by the Peralta Community College District as their desired location after considering the current Coliseum site and a Howard Terminal site at the Port of Oakland.<ref name='mercperalta'>{{Cite news |last=Debolt |first=David |date=September 12, 2017 |title=A's preferred site for new ballpark is Peralta College land |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/09/12/as-pick-peralta-as-preferred-stadium-site/ |newspaper=The Mercury News |location=San Jose, California |accessdate=September 28, 2021}}</ref> The selection was immediately met with local opposition from students, teachers, and the nearby communities of Chinatown and Eastlake.<ref name='mercperalta'/><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://abc7news.com/oakland-as-announce-new-stadium-location-near-laney-college-as-for/2683344/ |title=Laney College staff, students voice opposition to Oakland A's stadium plan |date=November 22, 2017 |website=KGO-TV |accessdate=September 28, 2021}}</ref> The selection was also brought concern from Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf and former mayor Ron Dellums as the move would have displaced low-income and immigrant families and businesses from the surrounding area.<ref name='mercperalta'/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Debolt |first=David |date=September 19, 2017 |title=A's stadium: Chinatown leaders, activists split over Peralta location |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/09/19/as-stadium-chinatown-leaders-activists-split-over-peralta-location/ |newspaper=The Mercury News |location=San Jose, California |accessdate=September 28, 2021}}</ref> Despite the concerns, Kaval attempted to move forward with the site and targeted an opening during the 2023 Major League Baseball season.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ktvu.com/news/oakland-as-ballpark-plan-faces-opposition-from-college-students-faculty-many-residents |title=Oakland A's ballpark plan faces opposition from college students, faculty, many residents |date=November 21, 2017 |website=KTVU |accessdate=September 28, 2021}}</ref> In December 2017, the Peralta Community College District board turned down the A's proposal, leaving Kaval to backtrack to his lesser preferred locations.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Veklerov |first=Kimberly |date=December 6, 2017 |title=Laney College board halts ballpark plans, leaving Oakland A's shocked |url=https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/College-board-orders-chancellor-to-halt-Laney-12409978.php |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |accessdate=September 28, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2017/12/07/peralta-community-college-rejects-oakland-offer-new-ballpark |title=Saying No to the Majors |last=Smith |first=Ashley A. |date=December 7, 2017 |website=Inside Higher Ed |accessdate=September 28, 2021}}</ref>
Nearly a year after the Peralta site rejection, Kaval and the A's announced the Howard Terminal site at the Port of Oakland as their primary focus in November 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Matier |first1=Phillip |last2=Ross |first2=Andrew |date=November 27, 2018 |title=A's propose 'jewel box' ballpark for waterfront, Coliseum redevelopment |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/matier-ross/article/A-s-propose-jewel-box-ballpark-for-13426272.php |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |accessdate=September 28, 2021}}</ref> Concerns and community opposition to the project was voiced primarily from the maritime industry,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://abc7news.com/sports/maritime-industry-opposes-as-ballpark-at-howard-terminal/5256596/ |title=Maritime Industry opposes new Oakland Athletics's ballpark at Howard Terminal |last=Anthony |first=Laura |date=April 17, 2019 |website=KGO-TV |accessdate=September 28, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Matier |first=Phil |date=February 15, 2019 |title=A's ballpark proposal encounters choppy waters |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/philmatier/article/A-s-ballpark-proposal-encounters-choppy-waters-13621540.php |newspaper=San Francisco Chronicle |accessdate=September 28, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ballparkdigest.com/2019/02/19/groups-opposing-as-howard-terminal-ballpark-plan/ |title=Groups Opposing A's Howard Terminal Ballpark Plan |last=Spedden |first=Zach |date=February 19, 2019 |website=ballparkdigest.com |accessdate=September 28, 2021}}</ref> but also saw transportation<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ttnews.com/articles/trucking-oakland-port |title=Trucking Groups Oppose Oakland Stadium Port Site Even as A's Mull Moving |last=Ronan |first=Dan |date=May 25, 2021 |website=ttnews.com |accessdate=September 28, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://newballpark.org/2021/05/07/rail-companies-comment-on-howard-terminal/ |title=RAIL COMPANIES COMMENT ON HOWARD TERMINAL |date=May 7, 2021 |website=newballpark.org |accessdate=September 28, 2021}}</ref> and environmental<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/athletics/news/athletics-push-for-howard-terminal-ballpark-continues-despite-sierra-club-letter |title=Athletics' Push for Howard Terminal Ballpark Continues Despite Sierra Club Letter |last=Hickey |first=John |date=June 30, 2020 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |accessdate=September 28, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/2498385/2021/04/05/the-as-believe-their-howard-terminal-ballpark-project-is-eco-conscious-environmental-groups-are-skeptical/ |title=The A's believe their Howard Terminal ballpark project is eco-conscious. Environmental groups are skeptical |last1=Berman |first1=Steve |last2=Coffey |first2=Alex |date=April 5, 2021 |website=The Athletic |access-date=September 28, 2021}}</ref> groups become vocal about the site choice. Kaval progressed the project and on July 20, 2021, the Oakland City Council voted 6-1 (with one abstain vote) to approve a non-binding term sheet to continue negotiations with the A's for the new ballpark.<ref name='cbsforward'>{{Cite news |last=Axisa |first=Mike |date=July 21, 2021 |title=A's stadium proposal moves forward with City Council vote, but team's future in Oakland remains uncertain |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/as-stadium-proposal-moves-forward-with-city-council-vote-but-teams-future-in-oakland-remains-uncertain/ |website=CBS Sports |accessdate=September 28, 2021}}</ref> However, Kaval said that the team did not agree to those terms since it was not the term sheet the team provided.<ref name='cbsforward'/> Subsequently, on April 20, 2023, it was reported that the Athletics had purchased a parcel of land from Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa for a new stadium in Las Vegas, near the Las Vegas Strip; subsequently, Oakland mayor Sheng Thao announced the cessation of negotiations with the team regarding the Howard Terminal site, effectively ending the proposed ballpark project.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kelly |first=George |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2023/04/19/on-the-move-oakland-athletics-announce-las-vegas-land-deal/ |title=On the move? Oakland Athletics announce Las Vegas land deal |publisher=The Mercury News |date=April 20, 2023 |access-date=April 20, 2023}}</ref>
After the Las Vegas Stadium Authority approved lease, non-relocation and development documents for the New Las Vegas Stadium and the Athletics' relocation to Las Vegas, Kaval announced his resignation from the team.<ref>{{cite news |date=December 5, 2024 |title=A's clear last major hurdles for $1.75 billion Las Vegas stadium |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/42802400/a-clear-last-major-hurdles-175-billion-las-vegas-stadium |access-date=December 28, 2024 |work=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Athletics president Dave Kaval to resign Dec. 31 |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43183644/athletics-president-dave-kaval-resign-dec-31 |access-date=December 28, 2024 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=ESPN.com |date=December 27, 2024}}</ref>
==Personal life== Kaval is married to Maria Fredricsson, whom he met his first day at Stanford.<ref name='merc5things'>{{Cite news |last=Elliot |first=Almond |date=December 27, 2016 |title=A's new president: Five things to know about Dave Kaval |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2016/12/27/as-new-president-five-things-to-know-about-dave-kaval/ |newspaper=The Mercury News |location=San Jose, California |access-date=February 25, 2020}}</ref> Kaval is a resident of Menlo Park, California, where the couple has raised their two daughters.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kato |first=Yoshi |date=September 3, 2018 |title=Menlo Park resident gaining popularity as A's president |url=https://paloaltoonline.com/news/2018/09/03/menlo-park-resident-gaining-popularity-as-as-president |newspaper=Palo Alto Weekly |access-date=February 25, 2020}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [https://www.mlb.com/athletics/team/front-office/david-kaval/ Profile with the Athletics] * [https://www.sjearthquakes.com/club/davekaval/ Profile with the Earthquakes]{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} * [https://losathleticos.es/historia/dave-kaval/ Dave Kaval "Rooted in Oakland"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320170722/https://losathleticos.es/historia/dave-kaval/ |date=March 20, 2018 }}
{{Oakland Athletics Presidents}} {{San Jose Earthquakes}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kaval, Dave}} Category:Living people Category:Oakland Athletics executives Category:Major League Baseball team presidents Category:San Jose Earthquakes executives Category:Sportspeople from Cleveland Category:Sportspeople from San Jose, California Category:Stanford University alumni Category:1975 births Category:American people of Slovak descent Category:American people of Italian descent