Oakland Raiders & San Francisco 49ers could share new stadium
By Josh Sanchez
The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority Board will be approached next week to approve a “feasibility study” that will take a look at the possibility of building a new football stadium on or around the current Colliseum property.
“The Raiders have been interested in this for a long time,” said Deena McClain, executive director of the authority. “This is a more organized look to see what the options are.”
An interesting twist to the proposal is that the Oakland Raiders could end up sharing a stadium with the San Francisco 49ers. “The idea of the Raiders and the 49ers sharing a stadium has obviously been mentioned before,” McClain said.
Per the report:
"More than a year ago, the NFL asked the teams to look into the possibility of sharing a stadium. San Francisco 49ers President Jed York also is on record several times stating Oakland would be an option, especially if the 49ers are unable to successfully build their stadium in Santa Clara.Just this week the Santa Clara City Council approved a June 8 ballot measure for voters to vote on a new stadium for the 49ers.The idea of a shared stadium would not be revolutionary in the NFL. The New York Giants and Jets shared a stadium for several decades and are building a new stadium together in New Jersey that will be open for the 2010 season."
Another possibility for the 49ers new stadium would be Santa Clara, however, reports indicate that stadium would also have to include sharing with the Oakland Raiders. If the two share a stadium in Oakland, the NFL would want the franchises to share revenue as well.
Oakland seems to be very eager to move forward with a new stadium.
“The site on which we currently play is centrally located, with magnificent public transit alternatives, on a major freeway and presents an exciting location on which a new stadium can serve as the hub of a larger, urban redevelopment project,” said Amy Trask, Raiders chief executive. “We have been communicating regularly with city, county and Joint Powers Authority representatives about our desire for a new, world-class stadium and the manner in which such a stadium can serve as a catalyst for regional economic growth.”