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Could Oakland Officials Force Raiders Out Of Oakland Before Vegas Stadium Is Ready?

The landlord of the Oakland Alameda-County Coliseum has been "losing money on Raiders games and might force the team out of its current facility" before its new, $1.7B Las Vegas stadium is ready in '20, according to Brent Schrotenboer of USA TODAY. Contractually, the Raiders "only have options to stay at the Coliseum" for the '17 and '18 seasons. But that "leaves open the question of where they will play" in '19, and the answer -- "for now at least -- is probably not in Oakland." Coliseum Authority Exec Dir Scott McKibben said, "I would say to you with the highest level of confidence, my opinion and recommendation and that of my board members -- I don’t believe there is any appetite for a third season (in Oakland)." That "could put a wrinkle" in Raiders Owner Mark Davis' plans, as it is "unclear where the Raiders would play otherwise." Sam Boyd Stadium, home to UNLV football team, is an option, but "only has about 35,000 seats." UNLV Senior AD/Communications Mark Wallington said, "It is possible and has been discussed as a potential solution." McKibben said that the Coliseum generates about $7M "per year in revenue from Raiders games," including $3.5M in rent. But it has more than $8M a year in "Raiders-related expenses." McKibben: “It’s actually financially to our benefit if they didn’t exercise the options and play here even in the two years they’ve got." Schrotenboer notes if the Raiders "really want to stay" for the '19 season, they "conceivably could offer to pay more in rent" (USA TODAY, 3/29). 

WRITTEN IN INK: In Oakland, David DeBolt notes the Raiders yesterday "sent McKibben a written request to play next season in Oakland, ahead of the March 31 deadline to notify the stadium authority." Davis "would pay nearly" $3M in rent per season. UC-Berkeley law professor Mark Gergen reviewed the Coliseum lease and said that it "appears there is little the Coliseum authority can do to force the Raiders out early." Gergen: "It looks fairly straightforward. It looks like Oakland is bound on the option" (EAST BAY TIMES, 3/29). 

IF NOT OAKLAND, WHERE THEN? SPORTING NEWS' David Steele wrote if the NFL "has to weasel out of its two-year minimum stay in Oakland," it might as well take the Raiders to Mexico City. The Raiders are "starting to be that team for Mexico City, now that another home game is scheduled there" in '17 against the Patriots. And the Raiders, "to their credit, fully embraced last year’s game." Steele: "So instead of yanking Oakland’s fans around for two years, and taking their money one last time for nothing in return, the NFL and the Raiders can make something ... positive? Less negative? Moderately digestible? ... out of the two-year window" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 3/28). In San Antonio, Nick Moyle notes it is clear the city "will not be getting a permanent franchise anytime soon, but the NFL could potentially come ... on a temporary basis" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 3/29). CBSSPORTS.com's John Breech noted another possibility for the Raiders "would be moving in with the 49ers at Levi’s Stadium for a season or two" (CBSSPORTS.com, 3/28). 

TOUGH DAY: Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf yesterday said that it is "time for Oakland and its expanding economy to move on from the Raiders." Schaaf: "I’m not fighting this decision. I very much respect and support the fans who have every right to fight. That is the most heartbreaking piece of what has happened. These are the best fans in America. They are so full of heart and so full of loyalty." Schaaf said that it is "disappointing that the Raiders" and the NFL "are not being fully honest about the reasons for the football team’s exit." Schaaf: "Oakland had a completely viable, fully financed, shovel-ready new stadium project ready to go for them. It was a viable deal. They should be honest that they chose Las Vegas over Oakland" (EAST BAY TIMES, 3/29). 

STILL THINGS TO FIGURE OUT: Clark County (Nev.) Commission Chair Steve Sisolak said that the Raiders’ "'premier site' to build a new NFL stadium" in Las Vegas remains a 63-acre property just west of Interstate 15 and Mandalay Bay casino. Sisolak said that he had "shared his own concerns about the site due to problems that might be created with additional game day traffic." But after speaking with Davis and Raiders President Marc Badain yesterday, Sisolak "believes the team is committed to doing what’s necessary to make the location work." Sisolak: "They understand my concerns and that they have to work to alleviate those concerns. They still have to do their traffic and pedestrian and drainage studies. That may change their minds, but they’ve got to take it step by step.” But in Las Vegas, Davidson & Munks note Mayor Carolyn Goodman "continues to contend Cashman Center, within the city limits, is a 'no-brainer' for the stadium." Goodman "touted Cashman’s existing infrastructure, parking in the area and accessibility" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 3/29). Raiders coach Jack Del Rio said of a new venue, "There's a tremendous opportunity for our franchise to go to a new home. To have a new stadium that doesn't have the dirt field and so many things like that. Facility-wise, structure-wise, that really is what a team in 2017 should be playing on" ("NFL Live," ESPN, 3/28).

READY FOR THE BIGGEST PARTY OF ALL: In Las Vegas, Jon Saraceno in a front-page piece writes a Super Bowl for the city is "inevitable." With plans for a "gleaming new domed stadium" in '20, Las Vegas "automatically gets in line to host the most-talked about event in sports." The next available year is '22. Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority President & CEO Rossi Ralenkotter said, “We’re positioned very well to host a Super Bowl. Believe me, we know how to do these things" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 3/29).

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