The Raiders maybe staying Oakland after all.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Phil Matier, the Raiders is close to coming to terms on a deal that would keep the in the Oakland Coliseum for possibly two more years:
Local fans get reprieve — #Raiders on track to play in #Oakland for 2019 (+ 2020 option) Read more in @sfchronicle #RadierNation #NFL https://t.co/eSd7e8rAJP
— Phil Matier (@philmatier) February 19, 2019
Per the report:
Under the proposed deal, the Raiders would pay $7.5 million this year with the rent rising to $10.5 million if the team stays on through 2020. The option for an extra year is insurance in case the team’s new $1.8 billion stadium in Las Vegas isn’t ready.
“All of the major issues … have been resolved,” the source said.
The deal is being worked out between Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority Executive Director Scott McKibben and Raiders President Marc Badain. Authority members have been kept abreast of the talks in closed session and are barred from speaking publicly on the details at this point.
Things were looking bleak for the Raiders’ search for a new home. Back in December, the team walked away from an offer from the city of Oakland and was sued by the city for issues related to the team’s relocation.
The only question is how committed that fan base will be after seeing the team supposedly play its last season in Oakland a year ago only to return, especially with many lingering questions about how good the roster can be in 2019.
