Raiders Notes: Oakland, 2019 Locations, Reggie McKenzie

Oakland

• Jason Cole of FanSided.com, citing a “high ranking” Raiders’ official, reports there is “no way” the team stays in Oakland for the 2019 season and there are “five or six” cities Davis is considering, including some that already have NFL teams.
• Cole’s source also said that the Raiders “won’t play” at Levi’s Stadium and “likely nowhere” in Northern California.
• Regarding the lawsuit by the city of Oakland, Raiders owner Mark Davis called it “meritless and malicious” and that he will “let the attorneys make any further comment.” (Paul Gutierrez)

2019 Locations

• Regarding the possibility relocating early to Las Vegas, Cole adds that the Raiders “can’t play” in Vegas next year since Sam Boyd Stadium, which houses UNLV, is “not workable.”
• Cole lists San Antonio, Portland, St. Louis, Seattle, and Phoenix as five possible cities that could host the Raiders, while “much will depend” on whether the team will have to continue training in Oakland.
• Paul Gutierrez of ESPN reports that while Raiders’ owner Mark Davis “would like” to stay in Oakland for the 2019 season, San Diego and the 49ers’ Levi’s Stadium could be viable places for them to play next season.
• Gutierrez says the possibility of the Raiders playing in Reno or an early move to Las Vegas should not be discounted.
• Jim Trotter reports that while there has been talk of the Raiders playing in San Diego next year, the mayor’s office said: “Our office has not been in communication with the Raiders.”
• According to Trotter, the Raiders have been in contact with officials at Bay Area venues including the 49ers, but each presents its own issues. A source suggested to Trotter the possibility of the Raiders playing in Levi’s Stadium could backfire on them by helping the city of Oakland in its lawsuit against the team.

Reggie McKenzie

Raiders owner Mark Davis said the decision to fire GM Reggie McKenzie earlier in the week was a “tough.”

“Reggie is a great person with a great family,” Davis said, via NBC Bay Area. “It was tough [to make the decision]. It was tough for him early on, but he was unselfish. He could’ve done some things for instant gratification, but he didn’t do that. He worked hard for our organization, and we are thankful for everything he did for the Raiders.”