Fansided

Raiders could face trouble in Oakland with lease agreement

By Scott Winter

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 24: Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis stands on the field prior to their NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 24: Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis stands on the field prior to their NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Things were not exactly peachy in the city of Oakland as it was.

When the NFL Owners voted 31-1 Monday of last week to allow the Oakland Raiders to relocate to Las Vegas, that did not sit well with Oakland politicians. Larry Reid went so far as to say he would speak to city attorneys in an attempt to force them out sooner rather than later.

Seems Mr. Reed was not bluffing.

From the Oracle Arena Joint Powers Authority webpage

"The JPA has sent the Raiders a default notice for failure to pay the full amount of parking fees to the JPA. The Raiders are aware of this issue and have deposited funds onto a segregated account to be transferred into an escrow account once the parties have negotiated the Escrow Agreement that has been provided by the Raiders. If the dispute cannot be resolved, it shall be promptly submitted to arbitration in accordance with Section 27 of the Operating Licence."

Now how this reads is that the Raiders are disputing the JPA claim. They are in the process of setting up an escrow account, in good faith, so that the 2017 lease option is valid.

And even if this issue is resolved, it appears that Larry Reid and company are going to do their best to make life miserable for Mark Davis based on Doug Sovern’s article today at KCBS

"“It’s a slap in the face,” board chair Larry Reid. “It’s frustrating. We’ve got to make sure that we hold them accountable and that they repay back to the public the money that is owed.”"

This has been an ugly divorce that only looks to get even uglier. If the Oakland leaders do find some form of loophole to force the Raiders out, Mark Davis and the NFL will be forced to hastily consider other options. They could include:

The Alamodome in San Antonio

Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas

Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego

Levi Stadium in Santa Clara.

There are possibly others, as well. Each stadium present their own challenges and ultimately it would come down to which is most feasible and cost effective. Hopefully the local leaders and the Raiders can come to some accord, because the fans in the Bay Area deserve a shot at a Super Bowl parade in my opinion.

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