Football fans in Oakland will have at least one more season to watch the Raiders. Sources confirmed that the Oakland Raiders and O.co Coliseum have agreed to a one-year deal that will allow the Raiders to play in Oakland for the 2016 season. Raiders owner Mark Davis confirmed that there is also an option for the Raiders to remain in Oakland for the 2017 and 2018 season.
By staying in Oakland, Davis claims the Raiders will pay a higher rent, but that won’t increase the cost of tickets for fans. He calls the deal a “win-win”.
The Raiders have called Oakland their home for the first 21 years of their existence, beginning in 1960. After 1981, they moved to Los Angeles where the played for 12 years. In 1995, the Raiders made their return to Oakland, and played there ever since.
If the Raiders choose not to stay in Oakland longer than the 2016 season, they have several other options. They could decide to move to Los Angeles and share the stadium with the re-established Los Angeles Rams, but this is only available if the San Diego Chargers choose not to relocate. The Raiders could also move to Las Vegas, San Antonio, San Diego, if the Chargers move, Sacremento or share AT&T Park with the San Francisco Giants.
Davis revealed that the team hired Larry MacNeil to their stadium development team. MacNeil worked on Levi’s Stadium for the 49ers.
Whether or not this upcoming season will be the Raiders’ final in Oakland, fans should enjoy every moment.
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*Featured Photo (above) credit to USA TODAY Sports
