THE SPORTS BUSINESS DAILY yesterday spoke with three
journalists who have been covering the Raiders tug-o-war between
L.A. and Oakland. Each was asked where they believed the team
would end up, and why.
GLENN SCHWARZ, Sports Editor, San Francisco EXAMINER: "I
think he will stay, because he's used Oakland for leverage all
these years. ... It's all about leverage with [Davis], as it is
with many others. But he perfected it before many of his
colleagues did and I believe that he's just using Oakland to
drive the best possible deal in Los Angeles. When he sees enough
money on the table and enough assurances and guarantees, he'll
grab that deal."
STEVE SPRINGER, L.A. TIMES: "It's about 50-50. There's
pros and cons on both sides. He's got instant fans up there,
he's got a good deal down here if he stays over the long haul.
It's just a matter of whether he just wants to go for short term
or long term."
GLENN DICKEY, S.F. CHRONICLE: "What it comes down to is
Davis is waiting to see what happens with the NFL and Hollywood
Park. If they can make that deal, I think he'll stay there. If
they can't make it, he jumps up here because he has no real
reasonable alternative down there. I don't think [Davis] is
using this as a leveraging piece. In fact, I think it's just the
opposite. He's probably not getting as good a deal as another
owner could get" (THE DAILY).
