Oakland, CA – Due to recent media stories about potential legal claims by the city of Oakland, against the NFL for the relocation of the Raiders, we have received numerous requests for comment on this issue.
Therefore, Oakland City Councilmember At-Large Rebecca Kaplan today releases the following statement:
“We have been told by the Oakland City Attorney that we are not to discuss the contents of closed session matters. While I cannot comment on the specifics of any closed session or potential litigation, I will share my views more broadly. I believe it is vital and important that we stand up for the tax-payers of Oakland, and fight to protect our community, including regarding the issue of sports-team relocation. In terms of the NFL relocation approvals, there are many important questions deserving to be answered, including why the NFL receives payments of hundreds of millions of dollars in exchange for allowing teams to relocate, and how these vast financial payments impact the choices and the process. As the city-wide elected representative of the people of Oakland, I want to protect our community, our tax-payers, and our public services. In addition, some have commented in the press that perhaps these issues could be resolved through a settlement agreement. I would consider that a valid and welcome option, and if the leadership of the NFL and anyone else involved is genuinely interested in pursuing a settlement agreement that would help protect our community, I would be happy to consider such a proposal, and would welcome that conversation.”