The Raiders' marketing arm "is in chaos, ousting its
marketing director and virtually throwing in the towel" on PSLs
for '96 -- a "decision that could put millions of public dollars
at risk in coming years," according to Zaret & Akizuki of the SAN
JOSE MERCURY NEWS. The decision to allow people to buy season
tickets without PSLs -- in an attempt to fill the stadium -- "has
angered some public officials and strained relations with the
city and county." Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan said the
team and the Oakland Football Marketing Association may not have
the authority to suspend the PSL sales, and doing so may violate
the team's contract with the city. Also, Erza Rapport, the
OFMA's interim Marketing Dir, resigned last week after being the
only "no" vote on the PSL decision. He will now focus on the
Coliseum renovation (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 7/12).
WHAT NOW? The new plan would allow the 39,000 PSL holders
to buy season tickets for their family, friends, and "virtually
anyone else they want for this year only." Those purchasers
would then have the option of buying the PSLs for those seats.
Some fear this will "effectively kill" any incentive to buy PSLs
at all this season. To eliminate the risk to taxpayers and to
break even, the OFMA needs to sell 8,000 to 9,000 more licenses
(SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 7/12).
