The Raiders are "withholding their annual $400,000 rent payment for playing at the O.Co Coliseum last season, a stance that could complicate city approval for a proposed lease extension," according to Matthew Artz of the OAKLAND TRIBUNE. O.Co Coliseum interim Exec Dir Deena McClain in a statement said that the team was "withholding the rent payment 'because of certain claims,' but would not disclose the issues raised by the team." She added that the Raiders "expect to pay last season's rent once it finalizes a lease extension to keep the team in Oakland next season." Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley said that the Coliseum Authority Board of Commissioners will "likely consider approving a one-year extension for the Raiders later this month." However, the deal "must also be ratified by the Oakland City Council." Oakland city officials this week privately said that the extension could also "get a rough reception from council members, and that the team's insistence on not paying last season's rent until a new agreement is reached could further engender opposition" (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 2/11).
