NFL not coming to Birmingham: Raiders reportedly reach deal to remain in Oakland in 2019
The Oakland Raiders are moving to Las Vegas for the 2020 season and beyond, but there was a question as to where they’d play in 2019.
Due to a dispute with Oakland, it seemed like the Raiders might be forced to find a temporary home for the 2019 season, and Birmingham jumped into the mix to land the team for a year.
However, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Raiders have put aside their differences with Oakland and will now play the 2019 season in the Oakland Coliseum:
The #Raiders and the Coliseum Authority have reached an agreement for the team to remain in Oakland for the 2019 season at least and the sides are ironing out final nuances and details of the deal, sources say. It could be wrapped up and presented to the board as early as Friday.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 25, 2019
For a fanbase that already thought it was losing its team, this is a strange situation. The Raiders are definitely gone for the 2020 season, so will the city welcome the squad back?
Whatever the case, it appears Birmingham will have to settle for the Iron of the Alliance of American Football for now.
