Commish throws a stadium bone to Raider Nation

Oh, the Oakland Coliseum.

Or O.Co, whatever it is now.

New name, same ol’ beat-up, run-down, 46-year-old stone-gray colossus that has housed the Raiders for decades.

However, if NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell sticks to what he told members of Raider Nation Thursday preceding the Raiders-Broncos game, the team could be getting a new home without having to completely re-locate.

Goodell said to a crowd of 150 Raiders season ticket holders that the Silver & Black deserved a new stadium. And that the league is willing to help flip the bill.

The Raiders get to stay on the eastern side of the Bay Bridge and get a new stadium? Almost sounds too good to be true.

Goodell told both fans and the media:

“… having a more modern stadium is crucial because that is the stage on which the league presents its games.”

A nice way of saying he thinks O.Co is an eyesore? Possibly. But who’s going to correct him when he’s offering $200 million to keep the team in Oakland?

Of course, the Commish isn’t just going to hand over the scrilla’ while the Raids kick back and wait for a new stadium to grow out of the ground. Goodell told media and fans:

“… the league could contribute up to $200 million to help fund a project if the Raiders and local officials agree on a deal.”

Seems fair, especially when considering that the 49ers got the same amount of money for their soon-to-be new stadium in Santa Clara.

Goodell made a comment that it was “up to the Raiders and 49ers whether they wanted to share a stadium.” But I think that terrifying concept is out of the question.

The Commissioner was present Thursday as part of a celebration honoring the 50th anniversary of the Pro Football Hall Of Fame. John Madden, Howie Long, Ronnie Lott and John Elway were also present at the fan forum.