The Raiders Stay in Oakland for One More Season
First and foremost, finding a place to play will be priority number one for the Raiders this offseason. With one year left before their Las Vegas move, owner Mark Davis and company have been scouring the West Coast for the team’s 2019 location.
Options have included Tuscon, San Diego and San Francisco among others. One location that remains a possibility is a return to Oakland for one final season.
According to AP, Authority executive director Scott McKibben has reportedly been in talks with Raiders president Marc Badain about a return to Oakland. McKibben is expected to give an update in the coming weeks as to where the two entities stand.
Currently, the city has a lawsuit against the Raiders after their reported move to Las Vegas. In turn, Davis pulled the team’s $7.5 million lease from the Coliseum.
While multiple hurdles remain, a return to Oakland still makes the most sense for the Raiders.
Following their return to the Bay, the Raiders have played in Oakland since 1995. They have developed a fan base loyal to their local team. Many fans have been upset at the idea that the Raiders are moving once more. While remaining in Oakland doesn’t necessarily fix that issue, Davis might be able to make a few more fans by keeping the team “home” for one more season.
When Davis himself talks about potential 2019 playing options, at least publicly he says he wants to remain in Oakland. One of the main reasons is due to the Raiders’ fans. Davis has been quoted with saying:
I personally want to play in Oakland. I absolutely want to play in Oakland. We have a completed lease sitting with the city council, that all they have to do is agree to it and we’re here next year. if they’ll have us, I can’t turn on the fans. I can’t do it. And this is terrible negotiating I’m doing now. I’m going to get killed. But that’s just the way I am.
Staying in Oakland gives the team a sense of familiarity. They know how to function in Oakland. They know what to expect come game day and they know they already have a fan base in place. By moving to Tuscon or San Francisco or any other location, there is no sure thing that their fans will travel. The team will also have to change their functions entirely, all to change them once more again in 2020.
The Raiders should be planning towards their move to Las Vegas. Moving to a different city for one year just to move again doesn’t make sense. There are multiple issues to get over, but Davis will find a way to get over them.
The Raiders have too many fans in Oakland, and will look to play in front of them for one more season before Las Vegas.
