Raiders' Marc Badain, Attorney Ali Farhang Discussed 2019 Home Games in Arizona

The Oakland Raiders have a 2019 season to play before they officially move to Las Vegas in 2020, and team president Marc Badain reportedly discussed playing home games at the University of Arizona's Arizona Stadium with attorney Ali Farhang.

Greg Hansen of Tucson.com reported the news, noting Farhang received approval from University of Arizona president Robert C. Robbins and athletic director Dave Heeke, as well as Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill and Arizona governor Doug Ducey, before proposing the temporary move to the Raiders.

Farhang is involved with Tucson area sports, as he is a part owner of the indoor football league's Tucson Sugar Skulls and helped create the Arizona Bowl.

"We could make this a win-win for the Raiders," Farhang said. "What if they see an outpouring of fans from all over the Southwest—people from Albuquerque, El Paso, Las Cruces, Sonora, even Southern California? They could begin building their Las Vegas fanbase in Tucson."

Hansen pointed out NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has already said league schedulers need to know where the Raiders will play their home games in 2019 by January or February, so Farhang is working on an accelerated timeline.

John Newby of 247Sports explained Oakland Alameda Coliseum general manager Scott McKibben offered the stadium for use in 2019 if the city didn't sue the franchise, but Oakland did file a multimillion-dollar antitrust lawsuit against the team. 

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk listed AT&T Park in San Francisco, Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, San Diego and London as potential options for the Raiders, although he granted London is "highly unlikely" and Levi's Stadium "makes the most sense, but the 49ers and Raiders are too stubborn to share space."

Dan Sileo of 97.3 The Fan reported the Raiders reached out to the office of the San Diego mayor to discuss a potential temporary move.

While there are other options on the table, Farhang is determined to give Tucson "the best shot possible."