The NFL set an seemingly unrealistic deadline in early December demanding a concrete, actionable stadium plan by the end of the month from Oakland, St. Louis and San Diego, home markets trying to keep their NFL teams.
Even then, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said at a Dec. 2 NFL owners meetings, that might not be enough to prevent the Raiders, Rams and Chargers from relocating to Los Angeles.
The Dec. 30 deadline was virtually impossible to reach in the East Bay. Oakland’s latest push to keep the Raiders was slower-moving, and needed more time to develop.
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“On December 30th we'll be giving the NFL an update on our progress and asking for more time to get to a responsible deal,” Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf said in a statement. “The NFL has never expected Oakland to have a formal new stadium proposal by December 30th. The NFL understands Oakland is operating in a uniquely complex situation and that we can't rush what needs to be a transparent public process.”
Schaaf has sent a letter to NFL ownership stating those facts. As expected, Oakland will head into a Jan. 12-13 owners meeting hoping the Raiders aren’t approved for relocation to Los Angeles. That could give them more time and improved leverage in reaching a deal with the team.
Schaaf remains firm in her stance that no public funds be used for stadium construction, and is now searching for creative financing methods to help ease the burden of building a stadium.
The Raiders obviously want more public help it isn’t getting at this stage. A third party is an option, considering the team’s willingness to sell a minority stake in the team.
NFL
Right now the Raiders are primarily focused on options in the Los Angeles area, where they’ve partnered with the Chargers on a privately financed stadium in Carson. The Rams have a competing proposal in Inglewood, and NFL owners are expected to decide between the sites during next month’s owners meeting in Houston.
All three teams are expected to apply for relocation on Jan. 4, and need 24 votes for approval to move to L.A. Many national reports have stated neither team has the votes required for relocation at this stage, though that could be worked out over the next few weeks.
Oakland hopes the Raiders return without a new place to play, and will consider local options and be more flexible in negotiations. Raiders owner Mark Davis has long said he prefers to stay in Oakland, though he doesn’t want to continue playing in O.co Coliseum without a long-term solution in the works.