OAKLAND APPROVES $75M PLAN TO LURE BACK RAIDERS

     The city of Oakland's planning commission has approved a
$75M plan to make the Oakland Coliseum more "football-friendly,"
according to this morning's OAKLAND TRIBUNE.  This announcement
comes as city officials continue to negotiate with Raiders Owner
Al Davis about the team's return to the Bay area.  Davis
reportedly "will not consider" moving the team back to Oakland
without a "sign" that officials are serious about the stadium.
Deputy City Manager Ezra Rapport: "We want to make sure there are
no impediments to a successful conclusion of ongoing
negotiations."  While planners have signed off on the deal, the
Oakland City Council and the Alameda County Board of Supervisors
still must "agree" to sell bonds to finance the construction
(Salladay & Ronningen, OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 5/11).