Pro Football HOFer Ronnie Lott, who has been shepherding efforts to build a stadium in Oakland, declined to revel in the apparent implosion of the Raiders' effort to move to Las Vegas, and instead said he is working hard to convince the NFL the team should stay in Oakland. “Right now we still have moments where we must make sure we are still doing all the things we can do, that is getting a deal that is compliant for the NFL,” said Lott, who spoke to THE DAILY at the Super Bowl party of sports insurance exec Rich Salgado. “Compliant with Eric Grubman, compliant with Roger Goodell, compliant with the owners.” Asked about concerns the NFL has expressed about Lott’s partner, Fortress Investments, wanting too great a rate of return, Lott responded the N.Y.-based fund would only finance a small portion of the proposed $1.15B stadium deal. Fortress has an exclusive period with Oakland until next week to reach a deal on a stadium and related development. It is expected a new proposal could be delivered to the NFL and the Raiders, though Lott declined to comment on a timeframe. "I wish I could tell you,” he said, though clearly it must be soon. Lott is organizing the stadium effort under Oakland Pro Football LLC.
