Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf is ‘disappointed’ in Raiders, NFL

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf shared a brief statement about the Raiders’ move to Vegas.

Libby Schaaf tried to keep the Raiders safe in Oakland. She personally addressed Roger Goodell in a letter, declaring that Oakland was the best place for the football organization. She even proposed a $600 million stadium that was backed by an investment group.

Despite those efforts, Schaaf’s worst nightmare came true as the NFL reached a unanimous agreement to relocate the franchise.

Like the many other reactions from Raider Nation, Schaaf voiced her own displeasure:

For those familiar with the situation, this isn’t Schaaf’s first run-in on the matter. Last week, Roger Goodel reached out to Schaaf, claiming that a new Oakland stadium wasn’t a “viable option.” Regardless of the financial support from the NFL to permanently plant the Raiders in Oakland, Goodell remained sure that the team would move elsewhere.

The “Stay in Oakland” campaign was backed by Schaaf and also ushered in $600 million from Fortress Investment Group. That contribution alone covered more than 50 percent of the $1.3 billion ticket. Though the Vegas stadium, which will require a $1.7 billion check, intends to be fully operational by 2020, Schaaf predicted a new Oakland stadium would be of use by 2021.

A couple of days after being rejected by Goodell, Schaaf reciprocated. She denounced Goodell’s stance, mocking him and the league as practically untrustworthy. And she’s absolutely right. The relocation, as pointed out by Schaaf, was a betrayal by the NFL and the Raiders themselves. To the naked eye, Oakland and its surrounding areas is a hotbed for market potential. With the Raiders moving out, it not only puts Raider Nation in limbo but effectively puts the Oakland baseball community in the same predicament.

Next: Derek Carr's Letter to Raider Nation

Some people have shrugged off Schaaf’s heartache about the move as political agenda. Her message comes off as a copy-and-paste as she integrates business and pleasure. The wording may be a bit tacky, yes, but keep in mind that she’s losing an important part of the city: an important part that is pretty much one of the main symbols of the NFL.