Raiders Withholding Coliseum Rent; Oakland Mayor Schaaf Not Concerned
OAKLAND (KCBS) — While the Oakland Raiders have vowed not to pay their O.Co Coliseum rent for last year's season, Mayor Libby Schaaf said she isn't concerned and neither should fans.
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There is concern, however, that the withholding of the football team's $400,000 annual rent will complicate city approval for a proposed lease extension, but Schaaf said on Wednesday that the Raiders are stuck on a few undisclosed claims.
"They have been very clear that they're willing to resolve those issues and pay the rent as soon as the new lease is entered into, which is very imminent," she said.
Schaaf said that the Raiders are expected to pay last season's rent once a lease extension to keep them in Oakland next season is finalized.
Team owner Mark Davis has entertained relocating to Los Angeles, if the National Football League were to approve and despite wanting a new stadium the Raiders can't afford it without the city of Oakland and Alameda County.
"We are working together towards the goal of having the Raiders build their permanent stadium in Oakland so I'm confident that we can resolve this issue and move forward focusing on the big goal of ahead." Schaaf said.
Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley, who also chairs the joint Oakland-Alameda County board that operates the Coliseum, echoed Schaaf's outlook.
He told the Contra Costa Times he's "not worried" and that the Coliseum Board will likely consider approving a one-year extension for the Raiders later this month.