By Robert Haugh

Northside residents can relax. And Home Depot doesn’t need to stock up on barbed wire.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported a couple days ago that the Raiders are close to a deal to play the 2019 season in the Oakland Coliseum.

It should be officially announced in a couple days. According to the Chronicle:

“Under the proposed deal, the Raiders would pay $7.5 million this year with the rent rising to $10.5 million if the team stays on through 2020. The option for an extra year is insurance in case the team’s new $1.8 billion stadium in Las Vegas isn’t ready.”

“The deal is being worked out between Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority Executive Director Scott McKibben and Raiders President Marc Badain.”

Our loyal readers may remember the name McKibben. He was hired by the City as the Stadium Manager in September 2017. But he was gone in less than two months. We reported that the Coliseum Authority threw more money at him to stay in his old job.   

The Stadium Manager position was never filled. City Manager Deanna Santana took on the responsibilities. Everyone at City Hall thinks that has turned out to be a good thing. Santana has been no pushover for the team.  

McKibben was known for being sports team friendly. In fact, the 2019 deal being offered to the Raiders is the same amount as the deal the team walked away from in December.  And the Coliseum should have more leverage today.

So it’s good that McKibben stayed in Oakland. Otherwise, he might have brought in another NFL team to Levi’s Stadium. And most residents think one is enough — or one too many.