Report: Raiders threaten to leave Oakland early if city files lawsuit against them

OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- The City of Oakland may file an anti-trust lawsuit against the Raiders as the team prepares to leave for Las Vegas. Some fear the team would skip town even sooner if a lawsuit is filed.

As Raiders fans watch their team score on the field some say the City of Oakland is losing as the team prepares to leave for Las Vegas.

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"We still owe $90 Million on the renovations to the Coliseum and you know if we can get some money back to go against that to save the taxpayers money I definitely favor that," said Chris Dobbins with the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Authority and Save Oakland Sports.

Dobbins says he's heard the reports of a lawsuit against the Raiders in the works. With the help of outside law firms the city may file a multi-million dollar anti-trust lawsuit according to the Chronicle. Those law firms have reportedly offered to fund the initial case.

"I feel very strongly on our case. They're going basically forward on a bad faith effort and just being on the Coliseum Authority and kind of having some of those conversations it appears the Raiders did act in bad faith in this process," said Dobbins.

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But some fear a lawsuit would mean an early end to the Raiders lease. The CEO of the Coliseum, Scott McKibben said, "The raiders have made it clear to me they have no desire to do a lease extension if this lawsuit happens."

The raiders could pull out, but it's unclear where they'd go. The Vegas stadium is far from complete.

"As you know Mark Davis has been known to have a few loose screws," said Bill Purcell, Save Oakland Sports Board of Directors.

Oakland's mayor and city council are keeping any details close to the chest and have not returned calls for comment. The Raiders have also not returned calls for comment. The city could file suit as early as this week according to the Chronicle. The Raiders home opener is Monday.

Watch the Raiders take on the Rams in their season opener on Monday Night Football on ABC7. Coverage begins at 7 p.m. on September 10.

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