After initially refusing to comment to CSNBayArea insider Scott Bair, Raiders owner Mark Davis has now made his official comments on the reports that the Oakland owner met with city officials during a visit to San Antonio according to a recent leak of the meeting by MySanAntonio.com.
In his statement, Davis confirmed that he met with San Antonio officials while at the same time attempting to downplay the seriousness of the visit to discuss potential relocation options in the Texas city which has been hopeful in getting the state a third NFL franchise for quite some time. Davis released a statement claiming that he was in the city as a guest of Raiders great Willie Brown, who was being inducted into a Hall of Fame in the city earlier this month when Davis met with several key city officials.
The Oakland Raiders twitter account released Davis’ official statement:
1 of 3 - Raiders Owner Mark Davis, "I was in San Antonio to honor Cliff Branch on his induction into the PVILCA..."
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) July 29, 2014
2 of 3 Mark Davis cont'd, Former San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros is a friend, and Henry suggested I take the opportunity to meet with..."
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) July 29, 2014
3 of 3 Mark Davis, "...with some of the city officials while we were in town. I have nothing further to discuss on the topic."
— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) July 29, 2014
Davis is caught in a tough limbo between trying to gain valuable leverage with the City of Oakland to help push forward a potential new stadium to remain in North California where the team belongs thanks to its deep history in the city and also trying not to alienate those passionate fans by trying to gauge relocation opportunities. Regardless of whatever PR excuse that Davis has to offer, the fact is that the owner met with San Antonio city officials which shows just how real the possibility of the Raiders relocating is should the City of Oakland continue to play its game with the franchise. That doesn’t mean that San Antonio would be that city, but they are the first to get Davis’ attention in a serious manner as we get closer to the Judgement Day that will be the expiry of the Raiders lease at the Oakland Coliseum. Until that date passes, the Raiders are very much still tied to the City of Oakland. It may be up to the city’s officials to ensure that the tradition of the Raiders in the Oakland area continues into the decades to come.