The Raiders' planned move back to Oakland "gained a powerful
ally" when NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue asked owners "to lift
final roadblocks" to the move, according to David Li of the
OAKLAND TRIBUNE. NFL owners meet today in Chicago to consider
the move. NFL Dir of Communications Greg Aiello confirmed
yesterday that Tagliabue faxed a letter Wednesday night
"supporting the move" to all 30 owners (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 7/21).
In L.A., Bill Plaschke notes the NFL will not only allow the
Raiders to leave L.A. "without a fight," but the league may also
allow them to go with no relocation fee because Oakland is not
considered a "hot" expansion or relocation market (L.A. TIMES,
7/21).
WHO ARE YOU? Oakland building contractor Joseph R. Debro
emerged Thursday as the Chair of the "Taxpayers for a Vote on the
Raiders Deal." The disclosure came as Debro sent a letter to
Tagliabue asking the NFL to delay today's scheduled vote.
Raiders supporter and former Alameda County Supervisor Don
Perata: "Just because there may be a local name here, that
doesn't mean there couldn't be collaborators ... to slow the deal
down and get a piece of the action" (Craig Staats, OAKLAND
TRIBUNE, 7/21).
SOLD OUT: Raiders marketing agents announced Thursday that
they have sold out the Coliseum for this season, but "thousands"
of club seats remain unsold for '96 when the seating expands
(Renee Koury, SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 7/21).
