Raiders owner Al Davis finally spoke on the topic of
a shared stadium for the Raiders and 49ers.
(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
I picked up a copy of today’s Mercury News and the front page of the sports section featured the Raiders and their decision to retain Tom Cable as their head coach.
But alongside the conference with Cable, owner Al Davis finally spoke on the topic of the possibility of the 49ers sharing a stadium with the Raiders. I tried to find the link to the article on the Mercury’s web site, but I think it may only be available in print.
Davis said that there is a possibility that a stadium for both teams could be in the future. He mentioned that the idea could be something he would considering, since it’s not something new to him. The Raiders currently share their stadium with the Oakland Athletics. The 49ers used to share their stadium with the San Francisco Giants. Having already been part of a stadium-sharing mentality for a while, Davis understands what would be at stake for the teams involved.
However, Davis said that he wouldn’t get too worked up about it until he knew the details.
“I would have to know the economics and who’d build the stadium and all the factors involved in it,” he said at the conference.
This is the approach that I think both the Raiders and 49ers are looking at. With the NFL suggesting the idea, on paper it looks like a great plan to save money. But it’s something that still has to be explored. There currently are only two instances where two teams in the same league share venues. The NFL’s Giants and Jets share a stadium in New Jersey while the NBA’s Lakers and Clippers share the Staples Center.
Davis isn't in any rush to work on any stadium plans unless he sees it as a certain move. But Davis said that talks with the 49ers are a possibility and he would be able to discuss it with 49ers president Jed York.
However, until Davis gets more details on the whole situation, he doesn’t want to talk about the stadium until something is finalized and proposed.
According to a repot by Joe Lemire in Sports Illustrated, the original proposed cost to fund a 49ers-only stadium in Santa Clara would cost $916 million. If the Raiders were to share the stadium, the funding gap would eliminate $51 million.
If anything, saving the money to make a two-team venue might make sense once details are planned out. Of course, the stadium will have to feature separate locker rooms for both the Raiders and 49ers and different kinds of offices for both teams. But in the long run, it would make sense to do that for the sake of money.
The hardest thing, still for some fans, is the idea of sharing the stadium with the cross-bay rival. But it’s all just discussion until something gets proposed officially. That’s how Al Davis sees it and that’s how I see it too.
Random note: Dan Reeves is out of Dallas. Reeves was originally considered to become the offensive coordinator for the 49ers, but he opted to join the Cowboys as a consulted. But after a day of working the Cowboys, Reeves quit due to philosophical issues with owner Jerry Jones. Watching the Cowboys fall apart this bad makes me smile.
Comments
I'm totally against sharing a stadium with the 49er's. Here in N.Y.C. the Jets lost some of their identity when they left Queens, N.Y. (Shea Stadium). In the early Eighties- (Sack Exchange Years) Shea Stadium was loud and rocking and Intimating to the opposition.That Stadium has some similarity to Oakland. When the Raiders were winning and dominating the league, nobody I mean nobody wanted to go to Oakland Almeada County Collossium. I know "The Raiders" may need money, but once you share a stadium with your local rival, you lose your home field advantage. Today the Jets and their fans only wish they had that HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE!
That was my initial reaction to the idea of the teams sharing the stadium. Like the Jets, I am afraid of losing an identity with the move. It's a Catch 22. Save money and lose identity, or save identity and lose money.
But let's wait it out.
yeah, wigth the raiders I don't think there has to be any worry for identity loss. they already have a deep history. the jets have a history too but they really don't have the same type of following and being that i am from ny, its all about the giants here. it always has been. I don't see this as a problem with the Raiders.
make the move. it aint that far. new stadium. the colors wil be the same. the paint on the feild will be the same. and hell, you won't have to worry about an ugly baseball outline ruining the eyes of what should be a football field. make the move al. for once, do something right you knuckle head.
Trust me, the Jets were the first team from the American Football League to win the Super Bowl for the A.F.L. Actually, this is the 40th anniversary of that championship. In all due respect, " The Oakland Raiders" should not sell out on this venture. Our mavervick heritage would take a blow! One suggestion, have the Oakland A's move to a near-by site. Then the Raiders can renovate or build a genuine football facility. The Jets' fans are not happy with there current situation of sharing with big brother N.Y. Giants (Giants Stadium). Lastly, when the Jets play in Giants Stadium, inside the Stadium or by the sidelines, you will see actual posters of retired numbers and Jet paraphernalia. It's a total joke!
OK, this whole thing about saving money is ridiculous. Sharing a stadium with the most hated team in the franchise, could be the biggest mistake ever made. I as a dedicated fan I am disgusted, and let down. Its bad enough, real bad mistakes have been made by john york, by hiring the worst coach ever, Nolan. and pinny pinching on hiring decent players. Now lets save money and share a stadium with the raiders. That will be the most devastating blow to our niner fans. %^$# Frisco said they would help with the repairs of candle stick. But noooo lets move the team to Santa Clara, that's another thing that sucks. The way I see it is, john york apparently does not give a &%#$ about our niners. He has proved it over and over its time to boycott him. Apparently AL Davis does not care how the fans of the raiders are tarnishing his team, they have made the raiders the most hated franchise no one wants to be around them. The raider fans have turned the teams colors and reputation into a bunch of thugs, and that is how they act. The raider fans don't get along with any one, they start fights, they pull out weapons on apposing fans. It goes on and you cant even go to Oakland with out fearing for your life if your wearing anything niners, and the thing that sucks is Davis is well aware, and from the looks of him he could care less.And why isn't any one asking the niner fans how they feel about it. I will tell you Its a clear cut example on john york strong arming his owner ship and the hell with the f&%$#*& fans and Al dick face with his pointy nose sitting back laughing. I speak for over two hundred niner fans that I no the decisions that are being made are f#$%&$! stupid whats next hiring Vick and the rest of his dog fighting crew they belong working with the raiders not the niners lets move the niners out of there home now that's a brain dead idea. The only positive thing that was accomplished was firing Nolan and hiring singletary. With york as owner god bless our niners he will be the only one looking out for our team. The money being spent on a new stadium could be spent to fix up candlestick and the way i understand it frisco is not going to let york take the niner name so we all loose all the way around lets get rid of york and get someone who cares and loves the niners thanks.
Al Davis and the raiders are just one big fat ass hemorrhoid on the nation. lately ive been pooping silver and black diarrhea
Al Davis and the raiders are just one big fat ass hemorrhoid on the nation. lately ive been pooping silver and black diarrhea
Lets dump the raider nation in the bay, no one will miss them any way.f%$#@#G low LIFE'S
If history serves me right? Didn't AL Davis (Godfather) persuade Ed DeBartolo Sr. to buy the 49er's back in the 1970's? I think John Cena and Sam Fisher need to kiss "The Godfather"'s pinkie ring and then some,for those asinine comments. I guess John Cena and Sam Fisher forgot who recommended Bill Walsh to the 49er's. Lastly, Raidernation knows that anytime, anyday, anyweek the Raiders will smack down Alex Smith, unless he is still staring at Coach Singletary's frontal while dropping his pants. "RAIDERNATION WILL PREVAIL".
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