The Raiders' return to the Bay Area for a game against the 49ers in Santa Clara on Sunday has renewed focus on the void left in Oakland after the city lost three major professional sports franchises. A Las Vegas Review-Journal column notes that while blame for the departures is shared among city officials, team owners, and league dynamics, the consequences for the Coliseum neighborhood are stark.
The area surrounding the stadium, a short tram ride from the airport, has deteriorated significantly. Streets are lined with the remains of demolished businesses, many remaining storefronts are shuttered, and several airport hotels have closed. The column describes the neighborhood as having gone from "decrepit to miserable," suggesting the teams "pulled the plug on the way out of town."
The column acknowledges that luring the Raiders and A's was "amazing" for Las Vegas, even if the public financing bills could have been structured more favorably for Nevada. However, it argues the city does not need to "spike the football in their face and dance over their corpse" while celebrating the local windfall.
Despite romanticized memories of the Coliseum's character, the column concedes the venue was a "dump" with dark concourses, outdated facilities, and rodent issues. While a new stadium might have revived the area and spared local businesses, the outcome is now settled. The Raiders will play their first regular-season game in the region since relocating on Sunday.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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