OAKLAND, Calif. _ City and county officials have asked for an appraisal of the jointly-owned Coliseum site, as negotiations begin with a group headed by NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie Lott to build a new football stadium to keep the Raiders in Oakland.
On Tuesday, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to begin negotiations with Lott's investment group and the city of Oakland "regarding price and terms for sale" of the 120-acre site that includes the Coliseum and Oracle Arena.
Oakland City Council is expected to discuss the matter in closed session on Tuesday.
"I'm happy that we are moving forward together as one in our efforts to work to keep the Raiders here in the city of Oakland," Oakland Councilman Larry Reid said. "I'm hoping that our council will do the same that the county board of supervisors did this last Tuesday."
City officials said it will take a month to appraise the Coliseum grounds.
Lott is leading a team of mostly black investors that includes former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete and Atlanta developer Egbert Perry, chairman of the board of Fannie Mae. Lott and Peete both briefly played for the Raiders, although Lott's fame came as a defensive back with the San Francisco 49ers during the team's Super Bowl dynasty decade.
Lott has met with several Oakland City Council members, county supervisors and Mayor Libby Schaaf over the past few months. He could not be reached for comment.
Raiders owner Mark Davis has pitched moving his team to Las Vegas if funding is approved for a new stadium there. Davis did not return calls for comment.
County Supervisor Nate Miley said Wednesday Lott's group has been focused on a new football stadium but would not rule out the possibility of the A's being part of their plan.
The supervisors vote on Tuesday paves the way for two representatives to open negotiations with Lott.
