With the City of Oakland suing the Raiders, the unhealed wound of relocation reopened. For the fanbase, until the team finally leaves town, the division will never heal. Sadly, people sit on both sides of the divide. In this article, FPC Raiders writers Pete Camarillo and Ray Aspuria discuss the suit, the move, and the drama surrounding the issue.
Is it possible that the City of Oakland, by not extending a reasonable stadium deal, is doing the right thing by its citizens?
Camarillo
California is not cutting checks for stadiums. On one hand, she is not putting the city in more debt since they are still paying off last dump. However, on the other hand, she is losing a cultural icon and community driving force. I am sure they’ll find plenty of ways to develop that land. it just will probably go more to Silicon Valley folk rather than East Oakland. Yeah, I don’t blame her. Meanwhile, I don’t blame Mark. If Vegas is stupid enough to build them billion dollar home, the Raiders are no position to refuse.
Aspuria
- Feed has no items.
In the complaint, she says Oakland would have used public funds along with investor to reach h $750 mill. I call BS. NFL and Raiders wanted coliseum site. A’s didn’t want to give it up. Libby chose the A’s. Don’t blame her. Like Pete said, if Nevada wants to pony cash, so be it. It’s a hotel tourism tax, that’s how the stadium will be funded.
Do you believe the community aspect in Vegas could turn negative for the Raiders?
Camarillo
If Raiders don’t win, Vegas will get even more disgruntled than Oakland because they don’t have the same communal connection or liberal thinking. Not to mention, Davis is upside down on team with all that equity being used for relocation fees. At some point Raiders must win especially since Vegas Knights were overnight success.
How do you see the suit evolving?
Aspuria
Oakland drops suit, Mark pays big bucks for 1-yr rental.
Camarillo
I could definitely see that happening. That is like living and paying your ex’s mortgage when ya’ll been legally separated for two years. It will cost the Raiders more money to stay in Oakland; it will be harder to get free agents to come on for more than a year etc. Yet, the Raiders will do it for no other reason than Davis and Gruden are arrogant and stubborn enough to do it because they want to leave Oakland on a higher note than this dismal year.
In the final analysis, the Oakland fans lose. With that said, no one emerges the victor in any of these legal proceedings.