Raiders Owner Al Davis got a "last-minute agreement" with
Oakland city officials which could cost city and county taxpayers
if a referendum or court action threatens the team's move to
Oakland, according to the OAKLAND TRIBUNE. If a referendum is
filed and the NFL tries to prohibit the Raiders from playing in
Oakland, the Raiders now have the right to terminate their
Coliseum lease and the Coliseum will be liable for $2M for
damages and loss within 14 days. If the Coliseum decided to
terminate the lease because of local opposition, it would be
required to pay the team "an estimated" $16-$20M, a figure based
on 20% of the PSLs. Oakland Coliseum President George Vukasin
had scheduled a press conference to discuss the arrangements, but
it was "canceled at the last minute" (Wells & Li, OAKLAND
TRIBUNE, 8/9). In San Jose, Barry Witt writes the new agreement
could "require the public to pay nearly" $5M to the NFL, if the
league wins a fight to prevent the team from playing in Oakland
(SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 8/9).
JUST PRE-SEASON, RIGHT?: Oakland Coliseum officials have
been "forced" to cut admission prices by 40% and give away
tickets in hopes of filling the "half-empty" stadium for the
Raiders' first preseason game, according to the OAKLAND TRIBUNE.
In addition, free tickets will be awarded to fans who have
already purchased preseason tickets at full cost. Without these
"marketing efforts," Coliseum officials faced the "potential
embarrassment" of a small crowd for the Raiders' "homecoming,"
writes David Li in Oakland (OAKLAND TRIBUNE, 8/9).
