NFL owners meeting notes: Where Raiders call home in 2017 not settled

Monday, March 27th, will go down as a day of infamy for many Oakland Raider fans. For others it should be a moment of bitter sweet relief. NFL moved up the meeting time, so we should all know, one way, or another, the fate of the Oakland Raiders by lunchtime.

I spent most of the day yesterday at the NFL Owners meeting moving from one place to the next. This is my first rodeo as a NFL Credentialed reporter, so I made my introductions, met people, and worked the rooms. Let me tell you, this is NFL Shangri La.

The "Buzz" going around from NFL executives was about Roger Goodell's letter to Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. I heard words like "On Point", "Perfect", and "Brilliant". No where among the executive circles were discussions on the Oakland plan itself. It was very telling.

When those meeting doors close today, the fate of the Raiders will be decided.

The owners will vote today on the Raiders relocation. An approval on this seems a forgone conclusion. However there are other aspects of this issue that will be decided as well.

First, the 2017 lease option on the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum has yet to be picked up by the Raiders. I don't want to alarm anyone, but that has to be submitted, in writing, on or before March 31st to the Joint Powers Authority. I was told Sam Boyd Stadium can be made NFL ready in 4 months. NFL executives showed concern on how fans in Oakland would take this news. What that means is that where the Raiders play in 2017 is up for discussion. More than likely it will be in Oakland, but until those doors open anything is possible.

The NFL relocation fee, and payment terms will also be voted on as well. That should come in between $350-$400 million to be paid back in 10-20 years.

As I was leaving last night, Jerry Jones came over to me and said, "I Love your hat"! So I asked him what he could tell me about this morning's meeting. He said it was going to be a very exciting day, for Las Vegas.

Unfortunately that means it will be a rotten day in Oakland, and the blame game will begin.