The Raiders have the "lowest luxury suite occupancy
rate" in the NFL, according to Douglas Robson of the CONTRA
COSTA-TRI VALLEY BUSINESS TIMES, who cites the Oakland
Football Marketing Association (OFMA) as saying that the
team has sold "only about half" of its 143 suites at Network
Associates Coliseum. Robson notes that most NFL teams
"average around" 90% occupancy for suites. Oakland City
Council President and Joint Powers Authority (JPA) Chair
Ignacio de la Fuente, on the suite sales: "Would you buy one
yourself if the team announced they were leaving every
week?" With the Raiders and the JPA "embroiled in a costly
lawsuit," the two "haven't provided any money" to the OFMA
in '99 beyond the $1M "minimum required." OFMA Marketing
Dir Richard Rogers feels the agency needs "about twice that
amount" -- $1.9M -- to make a difference: "We're under
funded." de la Fuente added, "The Raiders haven't put a
penny in for OFMA." But Raiders exec Al LoCasale said it's
the JPA's responsibility to fund the OFMA (CONTRA COSTA-TRI
VALLEY BUSINESS TIMES, 10/18 issue). The Raiders are
"losing an estimated" $5M from the slow sales of the suites.
Rogers noted that the suite occupancy rate of 50% is "about
the same as last year" (S.F. BUSINESS TIMES, 10/18 issue).
