With the team’s 2019 home venue still uncertain, a local attorney is pitching Tuscon and Arizona Stadium as a landing spot for the Oakland Raiders.
The Raiders 2019 home venue remains uncertain, as a lawsuit has left doubts that they can secure an Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum lease extension. The Raiders do not have a lease for the Coliseum next season, and an extension has seemingly become less likely because of a recent lawsuit filed by the City of Oakland against the team and the NFL. Without a lease extension, the team will need a facility that can stand in as a home for one season before its new Las Vegas stadium opens in 2020
The case for the team playing in Tucson is being made by attorney Ali Farhang (also a founder of the Arizona Bowl), who has proposed that the Raiders use the University of Arizona’s Arizona Stadium next season. Whether Arizona Stadium emerges as a viable option for the Raiders remains to be seen, but Farhang confirmed that he has been in contact with Raiders president Marc Badain to pitch the idea to the team. More from the Arizona Daily Star:
Badain listened. Farhang planted the possibility of the Raiders relocating to Tucson for a year. They agreed to talk again.
Before making this call, Farhang got approval from UA President Robert C. Robbins and athletic director Dave Heeke to pursue the Raiders. Farhang also got the blessing of Arizona Cardinals President Michael Bidwill and Gov. Doug Ducey’s office.
“I’d like to give it the best shot possible,” Farhang said Tuesday. “What do we have to lose?”
At this point, there are still more questions than answers about where the Raiders will play next season, as there has been no official announcement from the team or NFL. A few other venues have been reported to be in the mix, however, including San Francisco’s AT&T Park–the home of MLB’s Giants–and the new Tottenham Stadium. The Raiders could play at least one home game internationally in 2019, as they were announced in December as one of five teams that will host an international game next season.
Image of Arizona Stadium courtesy Arizona Football.
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