The idea of the Raiders playing their home games at AT&T Park next season is starting to sound like more than just a rumor.
The two teams remain in talks about the Silver and Black playing at the Giants’ home in 2019, with a team source telling Raj Mathai of NBC that there is a “distinct possibility” it happens.
Exclusive: #Raiders and #SFGiants remain in talks re: #ATTPark. Raiders could play in SF for 2019 season. Team source tells me ‘this is a distinct possibility’. #NFL pic.twitter.com/xhoHf5awJ2
— Raj Mathai (@rajmathai) December 21, 2018
Following last week’s lawsuit by the city of Oakland accusing the Raiders and the NFL of an illegal move to Las Vegas, the team is no longer certain to play their games at the Oakland Coliseum next year, especially considering their lease with the stadium authority runs out at the conclusion of the 2018 season. The Raiders’ new home in Vegas won’t be completed until 2020, leaving where the team plays next season up in the air.
Though the Raiders could still work out a deal with the Coliseum for a new one-year lease, it’s very possible they will end up playing elsewhere in the Bay area, in Southern California, or even out of state. Jason LaCanfora of CBS Sports was the first to report on the possibility of the Raiders playing at AT&T.
“There are some NFL execs who believe the easiest solution, ultimately, would involve the Raiders sharing Levi’s Stadium with the 49ers for a season. AT&T Park, where the San Francisco Giants play, is another potential option, sources said. The NFL is not pleased by any means with the current state of affairs with the Raiders, and will be under pressure to get this sorted out as quickly as possible. Sources said Raiders officials were stunned that Oakland actually went ahead with the lawsuit, which now has them scrambling to procure a temporary home for 2019 as quickly as possible.”
AT&T Park isn’t a stranger to hosting football games. The venue hosted Cal for their entire home schedule in 2011 while renovations to Memorial Stadium were taking place, and the team also hosted both the XFL’s San Francisco Demons (2001) and UFL’s California Redwoods (2009). AT&T also hosted a college bowl game from 2002 to 2013.
Though it may not be at AT&T, the NFL would reportedly prefer the Raiders stay in the Bay Area next season, as opposed to other proposed options like San Diego and Reno.
While the #Raiders don’t have a home for 2019, they would like to stay in Oakland. But if the lawsuit makes that impossible, expect San Diego and Santa Clara’s Levi’s Stadium to become clubhouse leaders but don’t discount an early move to Las Vegas or even…Reno. Yes, Reno.
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) December 11, 2018
