Bill Williamson, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

No L.A. for now: What it means for Raiders

Friday, Oakland Raiders interim coach Tony Sparano spoke of the possibility of Sunday’s home season finale against Buffalo being the team’s final game in Oakland.

That scenario became less likely now that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell informed the Raiders, Rams and Chargers this week that no team will be relocated in Los Angeles for the 2015 season. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Goodell told the teams to consider 2016 as a move date if they are interested. League insiders believe the NFL is setting up the scenario to indeed get at least one team in place in Los Angeles for the 2016 season.

For the Raiders, this development means one of two things will happen in the immediate future. Raiders owner Mark Davis will either sign a new lease to continue playing in Oakland next season, or he will move to San Antonio. Clearly, signing the lease in Oakland is the most likely option. The Raiders do not have a lease to play in Oakland beyond this year.

San Antonio made a pitch to the Raiders this year, and Davis has been on the record saying how impressed he’s been with the city’s pitch. However, league insider believe it would be a stretch to think San Antonio would get a team before Los Angeles, and it is unlikely Davis would ditch the endless financial possibilities of going to L.A. in favor of being the third team in Texas. Plus, influential Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones would not be pleased seeing another team being in Texas.

The likely short-term end game will be the Raiders will remain in Oakland for now. The Los Angeles talk is far from over, and the Raiders could very well end up there. It just won’t be now.

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