Fansided

Raiders not welcome in Oakland past 2018

By Matt Verderame

Dec 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (53) reacts after recovering a fumble during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (53) reacts after recovering a fumble during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oakland Raiders are moving to Las Vegas within the next three years, but their current city is making it known that a new lease won’t be offered for 2019.

This is like breaking up with your significant other and then living together for a few more years. Oakland and the Raiders are currently a union, but don’t expect that technicality to help matters between team and city, as the Raiders were approved on Monday for a relocation to Las Vegas once a new stadium is constructed.

According to USA Today Sports, the Raiders won’t be welcomed to stay past the next two NFL seasons. This could lead to the team having to play in a temporary home, whether it be in Las Vegas, California or elsewhere.

"“I would say to you with the highest level of confidence, my opinion and recommendation and that of my board members — I don’t believe there is any appetite for a third season (in Oakland),” Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority executive director Scott McKibben told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday."

Don’t expect this situation to end well. The fans are likely to continue showing up provided the team wins, hoping for one last Super Bowl run. If something goes wrong and the losses start piling up, it will get incredibly ugly.

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Owner Mark Davis needs to start planning a bunch of scenarios, including getting out of dodge after this season, next season and the season after that. Oakland might continue to welcome the additional civic income that comes from having an NFL team in town, but that will only last so long.

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