The land transaction that would enable the joint Chargers/Raiders stadium venture in Carson, Calif., "officially closed Tuesday morning," when the deed "was recorded for the 11-acre transfer from Carson Marketplace to Carson Holdings," according to Vincent Bonsignore of the L.A. DAILY NEWS. At the same time, the deed for the 157-acre parcel "will transfer the property from Carson Marketplace to a joint powers authority controlled by the city of Carson." The land transfer "followed Monday’s news that longtime NFL executive Carmen Policy is heading the Carson stadium charge for the Raiders and Chargers, which gives the project instant credibility and clout." If the stadium "is not built, Carson retains full control of the 157 acres at no cost to the city, and can put the site to other uses." The stadium plan the city of San Diego presented Monday to the Chargers "is getting a lukewarm reaction," and in Oakland, there "is virtually no momentum, consensus or viable financing in place on the proposed Raiders stadium near the site of their current home." Raiders Owner Mark Davis, who "insists his preference is to remain in Oakland, shot down speculation he might sell the Raiders, saying he is committed for the long haul" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 5/20). In California, Scott Reid notes yesterday's land transfer "enables the city to turn over the development and eventual operation of the Carson stadium to a stadium authority," which "would pay off the loans primarily through naming rights" and selling PSLs. However, the Raiders and Chargers "would guarantee the stadium loans" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 5/20).
WAITING FOR GODOT: In S.F., Eric Branch reports Davis "maintained his public stance" yesterday at the NFL owners meetings that he "wants to keep his team in Oakland." But he said that he "is still waiting to hear from Oakland and Alameda County about a financing plan" that would provide $400M for a proposed $900M stadium in Oakland. Davis "is waiting until June 21 to hear from local officials." Davis said that in the interim, he "hasn’t received feedback that suggests a deal could be finalized." Davis: "We haven’t gotten anything. Nothing. And that’s why we have to look for options" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 5/20). In San Jose, Mike Blasky in a front-page piece reports Davis yesterday "downplayed the hiring of Policy." He said that the Carson plan "was a backup in case talks for a stadium in Oakland fall apart." Davis: "We have a parallel path going on in Los Angeles in case we can't get something done. We have to have something for the future of the Raiders" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 5/20). Meanwhile, in L.A., Sam Farmer reports a "cluster of Raiders fans" outside the owners meeting yesterday chanted, "Stay in Oak-land. Stay in Oak-land." Davis eventually "walked out to the chanting fans to sign autographs and plead his case." Davis said to the fans, "Let the people at the city and county know what you want done. You've got a willing partner here. But you've got to do it quick, man, that's all I've got to say" (L.A. TIMES, 5/20). But Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio said it is "kind of hard to get anybody to believe he wants to stay in Oakland when he's buying land that would be used to build a stadium in Los Angeles” (“PFT,” NBCSN, 5/19).
PUBLIC POLICY: In S.F., Matier & Ross report as part of his deal, Policy is "concentrating on selling the Carson site to the NFL over a rival plan for another stadium in L.A" from Rams Owner Stan Kroenke. Policy insisted that he will "not have anything to do with -- or even comment on -- what San Diego or Oakland are doing to try to keep their teams." He said, "This move to get a stadium up in the Los Angeles market is really on the fast track, and the Raiders can’t afford to be left out in the cold. ... The idea is to hit the ground running, both in terms of building the stadium and building up a base in the market" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 5/20). Meanwhile, ESPN's Chris Mortensen said a friend of his while flying into L.A. "was stunned when he looked down towards LAX at the old Hollywood Park site” that Kroenke is developing for a stadium. That development is "much further along than you would have ever imagined” (“NFL Insiders,” ESPN, 5/19).
NO SPIRIT OF ST. LOUIS: In St. Louis, Jim Thomas in a front-page piece reports Davis "was as blunt as could be Tuesday on the possibility of moving his franchise from Oakland to St. Louis, as has been widely rumored." Davis: "Absolutely no interest. No. That’s just not where the Raiders belong. It’s not gonna be St. Louis" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 5/20).
