Oakland mayor says plan to keep Raiders is firming up

sfgate.com / 11-22-16

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf says she is closer than ever to a deal to keep the Raiders in town — a plan that would fulfill two delicate political goals: building a football stadium while protecting taxpayer dollars.

Addressing a throng of reporters on the steps of City Hall on Tuesday, Schaaf was upbeat about the city’s latest talks with a team of investors called Oakland City Pro Football Group LLC, led by former 49ers and Raiders star Ronnie Lott.

“We’re excited that for the first time we’re working with a private partner who has not just the passion to keep the Raiders in Oakland, but also the capacity to put up front the amount of capital it will take to privately finance a stadium,” the mayor said.

Blocks away, representatives of Lott’s group were meeting in closed session with the Alameda County Board of Supervisors to discuss the terms of leasing the Oakland Coliseum and Oracle Arena property, which is jointly owned by the county and Oakland. The Oakland City Council is expected to weigh the terms during a separate closed meeting on Tuesday.

FULL STORY: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Oakland-mayor-says-plan-to-keep-Raiders-is-10630706.php

A glimmer of hope remains. I have to hand it to Schaaf for standing up for taxpayers while committing to a solution.