Statement from Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf re: Oakland Raiders

Posted: October 19th, 2016 12:00 AM

Last Updated: October 23rd, 2018 4:55 PM

On the heels of reports from the most recent NFL owners’ meeting, Mayor Libby Schaaf released the following statement regarding Oakland and its efforts to keep the Oakland Raiders:

“I know that there is a lot of interest in what is going to happen with the Raiders, and whether Oakland can keep its team from being ripped away from Bay Area fans for a second time.”

“If Oakland is going to be successful in offering the Raiders and the NFL a viable alternative to moving to Las Vegas, I have to stay clearheaded. I cannot afford for us to be thrown off our game because Nevada lawmakers have deemed it appropriate to put $750M in public money towards a private sports facility. While I'm committed to keeping the Raiders, I will not enter into a bidding war with Nevada using public funds.”

“That’s why I remain focused on working out concrete deal terms that give the NFL’s owners an Oakland option to consider. I believe that in partnership with Alameda County and the team Ronnie Lott has assembled, we can offer a serious plan in the coming weeks that is fair to the Raiders, the league, the fans and the Oakland taxpayers to whom I am most responsible.”

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Media Contact: Erica Terry Derryck (510) 238-7072 ederryck@staging.oaklandca.gov