The Raiders are playing in Oakland this year. At least, all signs point to that outcome. However, there remains one obstacle to overcome before it’s official.
Speaking with Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal on Wednesday, Scott McKibben, the executive director of Coliseum Authority, made it clear the deal is not done quite yet. Furthermore, if the “significant” issue isn’t resolved to the satisfaction of the Coliseum Authority, it could torpedo the deal completely.
McKibben: “On the business terms of this deal, we’re 95 percent there. But there is this one big issue that we need to get worked out. … I’m hoping we’ll have an answer from (the Raiders) today or tomorrow about how they feel about this open issue.”
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) March 6, 2019
This is a bit worrisome for the Raiders, who are quickly running out of realistic options for the 2019 season. As they say, deadlines prompt action, and right now there is a definite sense of urgency to get the deal done. So, it would seem very unlikely that the Raiders will fail to get it all ironed out.
The deal that’s on the table is that the Raiders will pay $7.5 million in rent to the Coliseum Authority to play in Oakland this coming year. There is also a $10.5 million option on the table in case the Las Vegas Stadium isn’t completed in time for the 2020 season.
Yet clearly, there remains a bit of uncertainty about whether the deal will be completed.