OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 24: Gabe Jackson #66 of the Oakland Raiders runs onto the field against the Indianapolis Colts prior to their NFL game at Oakland Alameda Coliseum on December 24, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)Two surprising cities are reportedly emerging as possible hosts for the Oakland Raiders in 2019. The NFL franchise is still looking for a place to play during the 2019 regular season.
Birmingham, Alabama and Tucson, Arizona are reportedly attempting to partner up and host the Raiders together during the NFL’s 2019 regular season.
The two cities would reportedly share hosting duties.
BREAKING: Birmingham is partnering with Tucson, AZ in an effort to host the @Raiders for the 2019 season. @citycouncilbham William Parker tells me the plan will be for each city to split hosting duties. #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/xuTohnNEaK
— Kyle Burger (@kyle_burger) February 12, 2019
William Parker, a city councilor in Birmingham, believes his city would be a great host.
“The fans in Alabama love football. Obviously, the people in San Francisco and Oakland don’t want them and there’s a fan base here for the Raiders,” Parker told AL.com, adding he “got calls from a lot of citizens saying they’ve been Raiders fans since they were kids.”
The Raiders are set to head to Las Vegas for the 2020 season, but their home for the upcoming NFL season has yet to be decided.
Several places have been mentioned as possible options for Jon Gruden’s team, including the San Francisco Giants’ ballpark.
Stay tuned.
