Oakland Pitches 'Responsible' Raiders Plan to NFL Owners

OAKLAND, CA – Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said her city made a presentation to a National Football League committee today that's aimed at building a new football stadium and keeping the Raiders in Oakland in a "responsible" way.

Schaaf said in a statement that she believes the plan the city presented to the NFL's Joint Stadium and Finance Committee meeting in Florida "responsibly meets the needs of all parties."

Schaaf said, "We made a sound economic case for keeping the Raiders in Oakland through the creation of what could become one of America's premier mixed-use sporting venues."

She said, "Ours is a project that enhances the use of the already-entitled Oakland Coliseum site for the Raiders and for the public benefit and leverages the site's proximity to BART and other public transit
options, the Oakland International Airport and major freeways."

Schaaf said, "The Oakland solution for the Raiders keeps the Raiders at home in Oakland, in the country's sixth largest media market that is demonstrating strong growth due to its innovative and diverse economy."

The mayor said Oakland "is prepared to support this effort in a way that does not endanger the city's general fund using taxes generated by the project to provide up to $200 million for public infrastructure and
transportation improvements."

Schaaf said, "This will support a new stadium and ancillary development that will enhance the economic vitality of East Oakland and better serve our community."

She said the city of Oakland and Alameda County "are prepared to leverage the value of the land at this transit-rich site to create jobs, an enhanced fan experience and other opportunities."

Schaaf said the city and the county "have worked collaboratively with Ronnie Lott, Rodney Peete and the investors they have assembled behind this Oakland-based project."

Raiders owner Mark Davis hasn't shown any interest in Oakland's plan so far and still hopes to move the football team to Las Vegas if he can win approval from NFL owners. Three-fourths of the league's 32 owners must approve any plan to move the team.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Oakland Raiders File Papers With NFL to Move to Las Vegas
• County Board to Consider 'Framework' to Keep Raiders in Oakland: Ronnie Lott (VIDEO)
• Vegas, Baby! Nevada Legislature Approves Funding for Raiders Stadium
• Oakland Vows to Hang Onto Raiders Despite Nevada's Stadium Plans

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