Last week, L.A. Councilmember Nate Holden announced
that the Raiders' return to L.A. was "imminent," and
yesterday, Raiders Owner Al Davis "raised some eyebrows with
his response," according to Sam Farmer of the SAN JOSE
MERCURY NEWS. Davis, at a press conference to introduce new
coach Jon Gruden, discussed Holden's comments. Davis said
Holden's "credibility cannot be questioned, because he's a
bright guy. When you're sued by your own city, it causes
great concern by those who are sued." The Raiders have been
sued by the city of Oakland, fearing the team "would try to
get out of their long-term lease" (MERCURY NEWS, 1/28).
DIG AT 49ERS: Davis, when asked whether the team will
play out its lease at the Coliseum: "You want to take the
president off the front pages tomorrow, don't you? I'm sure
Monica (Lewinsky) wants me to do that." Davis, on the 49ers
situation: "It's a deeper problem than meets the eye.
Everyone's trying to put a spin on it, and you guys [media]
have been very nice to them, which we all should be at this
point in time. Because we're talking about the lives of
people, and we're talking about jail and things like that.
They've had a problem for some time" (MERCURY NEWS, 1/28).
REAX: In S.F., Glenn Dickey writes that Davis "seemed a
tired, defeated man. ... He spoke passively for the most
part, showing fire only when he was able to gloat over the
family dispute rocking the 49ers" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/28).
The CONTRA COSTA TIMES' Neil Hayes writes, "Any leverage
[Davis] gains in future negotiations with Oakland and
Alameda County is offset by the further alienation of an
increasingly disillusioned fan base. History tells us this
tired act will only create apathy for a team that has
already moved twice before" (CONTRA COSTA TIMES, 1/28).
