The choices for the Oakland Raiders of places to play the 2019 NFL season are dwindling. Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, appears to be off the table with the latest comments from the city's mayor.
"As far as I'm concerned, the Oakland Raiders should play in Oakland," San Francisco's mayor, London Breed, told KTVU on Tuesday. "We don't need another layer to add to what we already have — and that's an area that's really congested filled with construction and will host a number of basketball and baseball games over the coming months."
The San Francisco 49ers were not expected to waive their territorial rights anyway, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. That leaves two more options for the homeless Raiders, who cannot move into their $1.8 billion Las Vegas complex until 2020. The team can either swallow its pride and work something out with the city of Oakland, or it can play the 2019 season at Levi's Stadium, home of the 49ers.
Update on the #Raiders stadium situation: #49ers are still not expected to waive their territorial rights for San Francisco, sources say. With the SF Mayor going public against the Raiders playing at Oracle Park, SF is off the table. It's Oakland or Levi's Stadium for the Raiders
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 6, 2019
Levi's Stadium is certainly capable of housing two tenants. The facility has three locker rooms, which would allow the Raiders to use one, a visiting team to use another, and leave the 49ers' locker room untouched. The Niner Faithful may not be too keen on the idea of sharing the stadium for a year with the Raiders and their fans, but the scenario makes financial sense.
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"Obviously, we've always said to (Raiders owner) Mark (Davis) that we're happy to entertain or be an option for them," 49ers president Al Guido said on 95.7 The Game in January. "I think our stance has never really changed on that front."
The 49ers remain willing to work with the Raiders on a one-season arrangement to share Levi's Stadium, a source told NBC Sports Bay Area.
This fan had an interesting proposal for 49ers management.
@JohnLynch49ers have these bums play in our parking lot
— Rube (@SBprimeTime805) February 6, 2019
Poll
- Would you be OK with the Raiders sharing Levi's Stadium for one season?
- No52%
- Yes48%
- 463 votes
