I spend my first computer-free day (well with the exception of checking out Facebook late last night) on my day off in a long time and log on to find email from fans worried the Raiders will be sold and moved to back to Los Angeles.
These fears were spurred by an ESPN report that Raiders owner Al Davis and team CEO Amy Trask were working on selling a portion of the team to a group led by billionaire C. Dean Metropoulos, who wants to put a team back in the L.A. market.
The Raiders vehemently denied the report.
I spoke with Trask this morning to receive clarification on a few things, but chief amongst those concerns were:
1. Is the team in financial straits?
2. Is the team planning to leave Oakland?
"No, no, no," Trask said.
A non-controlling share of the team (20 percent) was sold to a group of investors in October 2007.
*Nothing new on the search for the next Raiders head coach. Davis had a "conversation" with New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride over the phone, but it wasn't termed a job interview and was done at the request of Gilbride's agent, said Raiders executive John Herrera.
Herrera said in conversations with Davis, the owner has stated he doesn't want a long process in finding a new coach.
What qualifies as long is anyone's guess.
One long-rumored candidate - Jim Fassel - will interview for the St. Louis opening according to ESPN.
--Jason Jones
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