Mayor Jean Quan Rallies For Oakland's Sports Spirit Week, Wants Teams To Stay Put
OAKLAND (KCBS)— Monday night's Raiders season opener will be especially festive this year as Oakland Mayor Jean Quan rallies fans at the Coliseum for the kick-off of "Oakland Loves Its Sports Teams" Week.
Rap star Ice Cube has been added to the lineup and will perform at the game in efforts to convince the city's three professional sports teams not to leave town.
Mayor Quan will tailgate with the Raider Nation as the team kicks off its season against the San Diego Chargers on CBS 5 and Live 105 FM. City officials are calling for all fans to turn out and show team ownership why they need to stay in town.
KCBS' Holly Quan Reports:
Oakland happens to be the only city in the state with a major football, baseball and basketball team, but all three could pick up and leave within the next five years to newer, shinier digs.
According to Quan just because the other cities might be able to afford new stadiums, parks or arenas, she said money can't buy you love.
"Sometimes the fans are really caught between wanting to support the A's [with] how hot they are right now, and still wanting the team ownership to respect the city more. If you're going to come to any game at all this year for the Raiders or the A's, were asking you to come to these two games: Monday Night Football September 10th and the fireworks game on September 14th," she said.
Oakland is looking at getting private investors to renovate the antiquated Coliseum and turn it into a sports-entertainment complex. Officials said that would energize the fan base which is one way to line up political and business support.
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