© Kelley L Cox | 2018 Aug 9
The Raiders reportedly want to play at the San Francisco Giants’ home of Oracle Park next season. Unfortunately for them, the 49ers don’t have any interest in letting that happen.
In order for the Raiders to play in San Francisco next year, the 49ers would have to waive their territorial rights to the city, something they will not do according to Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area. The 49ers are, however, open to working out a deal for the Raiders to share Levi’s Stadium for the 2019 season, something Mark Davis has reportedly been opposed to since the stadium opened.
If the 49ers stand firm, it’s hard to see what other options the Raiders have next season if they are going to stay in the Bay Area. There is still a chance they could play at the Oakland Coliseum, an option Davis walked away from when the City of Oakland filed a lawsuit against the team for their move to Las Vegas in December.
Playing outside the Bay Area isn’t seen as a practical solution considering they would essentially be playing 16 road games next season if they did so, since the team wants to continue practicing in their recently revamped Alameda headquarters. The Raiders new home in Las Vegas isn’t scheduled to be completed until the 2020 season.
The 49ers aren’t the only ones who don’t want the Raiders to be the only NFL team in San Francisco next year. SF Mayor London Breed said yesterday, “As far as I’m concerned, the Oakland Raiders should play in Oakland.”
The NFL could put pressure on the 49ers to waive their rights, and allow the Raiders to play at Oracle next year. If that doesn’t happen, the Raiders will be stuck between two solutions they don’t want, and will probably have to concede sooner rather than later.
