San Antonio city officials had a "much more concerted effort to attract the Raiders than previously has been disclosed," according to documents cited in a front-page piece by Baugh & Orsborn of the SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS. Leading up to Raiders Owner Mark Davis' visit to San Antonio last month, city officials "quietly and feverishly prepared for his arrival, updated an NFL relocation study and war-gamed a potential move." While relocation is "considered a long shot," San Antonio appears to have "presented itself as a superior landing spot should the Bay Area franchise decide to relocate, and strong relationships between Davis and local leaders could help spur the deal." Meanwhile, a source "discounted comments" made by Spurs investor Charlie Amato. Amato said that the club "harbored concerns about a Raiders relocation and suggested that the Spurs purchase the Raiders." Spurs Owner Peter Holt had "positive and fruitful conversations with Davis" when the two met at Holt's home on July 19. The source said, "Peter assured Mark that (the Spurs) would not be a roadblock to the Raiders relocating to San Antonio and would find ways to work with them." Included in a chain of e-mails between San Antonio Dir of Convention, Sports & Entertainment Facilities Mike Sawaya and Premier Partnerships consultants is a spreadsheet that has identified $27.4M in "necessary upgrades to the Alamodome in order for the facility to meet NFL standards." The document estimates a “build out” of 14 suites would cost $1.8M, while an additional 44 suites would cost $6M and the addition of a new sound system would be $3.5M. Such upgrades would come on top of $43M in "potential improvements the city would likely do if it wins another NCAA Final Four bid" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 8/13).
