The Raiders have identified a temporary home for the 2019 season but the NFL and 49ers have to approve the decision.
The Oakland Raiders have reached a deal to play the 2019 season at Oracle Park, formerly known as AT&T Park and home of the San Francisco Giants baseball team, according to a report from Raj Mathai of NBC Bay Area.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network notes that the NFL still has to approve the move for it to be finalized.
The #Raiders have made their choice. The #49ers and the NFL have to approve this for it to be final, and that has not happened yet. https://t.co/nk2SKnETyw
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 4, 2019
The Raiders were left without a home after playing their final game at the Oakland Coliseum on Christmas Eve. The organization is awaiting the completion of its new home, a $1.8 billion complex, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Las Vegas Stadium, which will sit just east of the I-15 and the famous Las Vegas Strip, is scheduled for completion in time for the 2020 season and will be home to the Raiders and the UNLV Rebels football team.
"There has been initial interest expressed in exploring the opportunity of the Raiders playing at (then) AT&T Park," the Giants said in December via a statement to NBC Sports Bay Area. "Many details would need to be figured out. The Giants want to do what's best for Bay Area fans and would be open to the concept just as we hosted Cal Football in 2011 when Memorial Stadium in Berkeley was being renovated."
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reported over the weekend that the NFL conducted another site survey of Oracle Park last week to determine the feasibility of the Raiders playing there in 2019.
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"The NFL will have to invest in security upgrades and also address issues with the playing field in order for Oracle Park to meet league standards and guidelines," wrote La Canfora. "It remains to be seen if the NFL will make the necessary commitments to that facility to bring it up to par, and those discussions will continue next week back in New York."
The Raiders' relationship with the city of Oakland became strained when the city filed an anti-trust lawsuit against the Raiders. There was talk about potentially sharing Levi's Stadium with the San Francisco 49ers in 2019, but the option reportedly wasn't appealing to the Raiders organization.
"A lot of people have been saying that's the easiest solution for years," Judy Battista of NFL Network reported in December. "It is apparently something that the Raiders have been reluctant to do, according to people I've talked to today, and remain reluctant to do.
The 49ers would be within their rights to block the Raiders from playing at Oracle Park, which sits within the former's designated home territory. NBC Sports Bay Area reports that the 49ers have not yet signed off on the move.
The #49ers would have to waive their territorial rights for the Raiders to play next season in San Francisco. Sources tell me the 49ers have not signed off on this. Also, the NFL would have to approve the move, and that has not occurred, either, according to the sources. https://t.co/8SkP08ryCj
— Matt Maiocco (@MaioccoNBCS) February 4, 2019
"It is true that it does fall within our territorial rights, so I guess we could say no to that," 49ers president Al Guido told Greg Papa in January. "I have not had any conversations with [Raiders owner Mark Davis] or Larry on that front whatsoever.
"Obviously, we're competitive on the field. Mark and I do share a lot from working together and having the same job in this sport. We're trying to be helpful to them. We know they ultimately are moving.
"I don't really have an answer right now, but yes, I guess technically we could block that move from a territorial perspective."
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