Around the NFL Offseason 2013

Oakland is a charming place. C'mon man


Oakland Pays $14 Million for NFL Raiders as Cops Fired - Bloomberg (http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-20/oakland-pays-17-million-for-nfl-raiders-as-cops-get-cut.html)

Zimmerman acquittal protest in Oakland turns violent; no arrests made - latimes.com (http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-zimmerman-acquittal-oakland-20130714,0,331163.story)

Zimmerman verdict: Oakland protesters break windows, paint cars - latimes.com (http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-oakland-protesters-damage-transit-police-car-newspaper-offices-20130714,0,56071.story)

Photos: Third night of protests in Oakland over Zimmerman verdict (http://photos.mercurynews.com/2013/07/15/photos-third-night-of-protests-in-oakland-over-zimmerman-verdict/#1)


http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/11/us/to-cut-crime-oakland-to-reduce-size-of-police-districts.html?pagewanted=all

That NY Time article is a good read but disturbing to say the least.

That NY Time article is a good read but disturbing to say the least.From the article: “The 1995 deal didn’t work from a financial perspective for any party to the deal -- city, county or Raiders,” says Amy Trask, chief executive officer of the Raiders. “That shouldn’t stop us from trying to reach a deal that works for everyone.” "

I hate statements like that. The money obviously went somewhere. If the money really was lost instead: On disaster, unexpected expenses like say vandalism or lawsuits or lack of fan revenue, who knows... then how can Trask say that a deal that works is possible? :saywhat:

If they wore less exotic costumes they'd be able to fit another 30,000.

Still, where are you going to find that many Raider fans willing to watch that crap?

Well a lot of people watch the Redskins when they were crap, so I am sure they'll find people.

Oakland is no worse and it might be safer than some parts of DC. I like Raiders better than the Forty whiners.

I actually think reducing stadium size as a whole is a good idea. 50K might be too small but the 85K and larger stadiums lend themselves to being flooded by opposing team fans.

I actually think reducing stadium size as a whole is a good idea. 50K might be too small but the 85K and larger stadiums lend themselves to being flooded by opposing team fans.A Pittsburgh buddy of mine swears nobody else "invades" Heinz field successfully, at about 70K seating capacity I think.

Maybe with PSLs and such, going to the game has become, more and more, only for the few people that can afford a lot?

So me and my GF are thinking about going to the Oakland game in Sept. It's pretty easy to get seats, beautiful part of the country and we have friends/family near there. I discussed this issue with her and she seems to think that's it's a non issue. Me on the other hand knows how the Oakland fans are and prefer not to go to the game.

Any of you been to any Oakland games in the past?? It looks like a pretty rough crowd.

Never been, but as long as you go as incognito skins fans you should be ok...

I actually think reducing stadium size as a whole is a good idea. 50K might be too small but the 85K and larger stadiums lend themselves to being flooded by opposing team fans.So who will cover the revenue loss of those seats, other fans ,the NFL ?Wasn't one reason the Raiders moved before was for a bigger fan base and stadium?

A Pittsburgh buddy of mine swears nobody else "invades" Heinz field successfully, at about 70K seating capacity I think.

Wait till that team starts losing a few years in a row. That'll change.



I actually think reducing stadium size as a whole is a good idea. 50K might be too small but the 85K and larger stadiums lend themselves to being flooded by opposing team fans.

Owners don't care about that. Revenue is the main factor here.

So who will cover the revenue loss of those seats, other fans ,the NFL ?Wasn't one reason the Raiders moved before was for a bigger fan base and stadium?

I obviously haven't studied the dynamics, but something that I think about is a 3D/IMAX broadcasting partnership with major movie chains, problem I imagine is most of the concession money would be lost, but maybe some creative businessmen could create models that work.

Maybe NFL could even build (or buy closed out) theaters and renovate them into "Satellite Stadiums" that hold Sunday/Monday/Thursday games, and that way they keep the concession money in house. Other days could be filled with feature films, especially in the summer months, and probably throw in NFL Films days too, where "Best of " regional team games are shown. In Skins country for example, a RFK size stadium, plus regional theater satellites in a few Richmond counties, PG County, Alexandria and Silver Springs, would probably all draw capacity crowds, and make the "at the stadium" experience better.

Satellite theaters make even more sense in rural cities where NFL fans rarely get to experience the feel of live action.

Again, maybe none of this is plausible, but I think it's worth considering over these mega-stadiums.



My guess is that losing the concession money is the biggest reason that stadiums won't shrink, and I don't know a solution to that.