Oakland Coliseum Forgets Al Davis History Asks $2K For Las Vegas Raiders To Use Suite,Rod Martin RIP - ATLNews

Oakland Coliseum Forgets Al Davis History Asks $2K For Las Vegas Raiders To Use Suite,Rod Martin RIP This is a sad story behind a sadder one. A long time friend and Oakland Raiders booster called me to complain about how the Oakland Coliseum - once home of the Raiders - was asking a Raiders non-profit firm called Silver & Black Productions, to pay a whopping $2,000 just to have access to what was once Mark Davis, and his Father, Al Davis' legendary Suite 42. Why? So Silver & Black Productions could make a segment for a Raiders organizational history film. You would think the Oakland Coliseum Managers would have no problem letting the former tenants use the hallowed suite for free, right? I mean, Mark Davis is fond of saying that the Raiders DNA is in Oakland. Well, looks like someone at the Oakland Coliseum forgot that. Check out these emails (with names removed to protect identities). Hello All! I'm with Silver & Black Productions in the Raiders Historical Content Department. We are seeking to do an on-camera interview with “Raiders Legendary Fan” in Al Davis' former suite at the Coliseum. The interview would cover “Raiders Legendary Fan”'s memories of Raiders games and players, and Oakland through the years. This is part of a Raiders legacy project we have been building for 8 years. We travel light with a small crew of 3 (myself, a camera operator, and an audio technician). Equipment is minimal - a camera and tripod, a portable audio mixer, and a small light kit that we will set up ourselves. We may need a few folding chairs for myself and the crew to sit on during the interview. Set-up time - 45-60 min Interview - 60-90 min Wrap out - 45 min We can be somewhat flexible on the time of day, but morning or midday would be preferred. Would either May 1 or May 4 work for you? If not, feel free to suggest some other dates and let me know if you have any other questions. Thank you so much! Silver & Black Productions Seems harmless and something that would promote Oakland and the Coliseum positively, right? The Oakland Coliseum folks should just say COME ON OVER. But, well, not exactly. Here’s the Coliseum response. Hello Silver and Black Productions, Thank you for sending over some additional details. We have availability on both May 1 and 4, and would be happy to have you here. I do want to share with you that the owner's suite was restored back to neutral after the Raiders departure. I believe the walls are still grey, but there are no Raider logos. Of course it has a fabulous view of the field, which is now a soccer pitch. I can go take a few photos for you on Monday. Filming rates are $2,000 per hour and we will need to staff 1 tech support person to fulfill our union agreement. Best, Oakland Coliseum Management (name withheld). Now before you blame the Coliseum Joint Powers Authority or Executive Director Henry Gardner, or The Union, hold on. None of them saw the request because the Coliseum JPA normally doesn’t deal with what are considered “day-to-day” issues. But this is one time the Coliseum JPA is going to have to. That the Oakland Coliseum Managers either forgot or have no respect for Raiders Legacy is nothing short of awful. How is Oakland expected to land an NFL Expansion Team if it doesn’t respect its own sports history? This is one more reason why Oakland needs a sports commission: as a living record of what was in sports in Oakland. At a time where sports tourism is a big industry, the Oakland Coliseum should be working to take advantage of its giant role in American sports history. Instead, it’s like the Coliseum could care less: pay us $2,000. And not even with “please.” All Of That As Raiders LB Rod Martin Passes And this happened the same week Raiders LB Rod Martin passed away at 72 years old. Sadly, Rod Martin had declined due to unspecified reasons over the last four years. What everyone remembers is his three interceptions of Eagles QB Ron Jaworski in Super Bowl XV. Rod should have been the Super Bowl MVP, but he’s the unofficial Super Bowl MVP in the hearts of Raider Nation. Stay tuned.
via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAHdpiRx8cI