Report: Raiders could still play in Oakland in 2019
The Raiders are still searching for a temporary venue to play in 2019 before construction of their stadium in Las Vegas is completed, but there is apparently a chance they could spend one more year in Oakland.
Oakland made a final move toward pushing the Raiders out of town earlier this week when the city filed a lawsuit alleging that the team violated antitrust laws and the NFL’s rules when they “boycotted” the city of Oakland in their move to Las Vegas. One report claimed there is “no way” the Raiders will play another season in Oakland and will consider several other cities, but they may not have any other option.
According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the Raiders are scrambling to find a home for 2019 but will “face considerable backlash” from the NFL if they don’t come up with a solution before the Super Bowl. Between stadium availability, marketing and ticket sales, the league does not want the Raiders’ situation remaining in flux deep into the offseason.
La Canfora adds that some NFL executives believe the most reasonable solution is having the Raiders share Levi’s Stadium with the San Francisco 49ers for a season. The NFL is said to already be getting impatient with the team, and the Raiders were apparently left stunned by the city of Oakland’s lawsuit. Another city that is nowhere near California has also been floated as an option to host the Raiders in 2019.
