Oakland Draws New Contracts to Lure Raiders

OAKLAND — The City Council has approved drawing up contracts to bring the Raiders back to Oakland, kicking off a deal that’s still far from its goal.

The council, which approved the contract proposal late Tuesday, has scheduled a July 10 vote on the plan to win back the team from Los Angeles.

Councilwoman Marge Gibson Haskell expressed concern that the Raiders might use the city’s offer as a bargaining chip with other cities that want the team.

But Councilman Richard Spees assured his peers that “if we vote this in, they will move to Oakland.”

Team officials have told Seeps they won’t make a formal decision on the offer until it has been approved by the city, Alameda County and the Oakland Coliseum.