The Oakland Raiders boast some of the most intensely rabid fans in the NFL.
They've got to be to considering how they continually pack Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum each season, even as their team struggles.
They dress proudly in silver and black, they don headgear and shoulder pads adorned with spikes and chains, cover their faces in black war paint. They chant and cheer, bang their fists and rage, grin and groan with every turn of the game, every spiral of the football.
But, if a recent report from National Insider for NFL Network, Ian Rapoport is accurate, Raiders fans living in and around Oakland could be on the verge of losing their beloved football team.
"The Oakland #Raiders have a much better chance of moving to Los Angeles this year than I realized. That possibility is very legitimate," Rapoport tweeted earlier today.
He also tweeted that he had "learned something new" in relation to the Raiders possibly returning to L.A..
On Sunday, FOXSports' Jay Glazer reported that the notion of a Los Angeles team was picking up steam, saying that it was "closer than ever" to happening. Though Glazer mentioned the St. Louis Rams as the most likely possibility for relocation, the newest wrinkle has not one, but two teams headed to L.A., and the Raiders have long been considered for a move back.
"According to Glazer, the thought throughout league circles is that the Rams are the surest bet to go back to the City of Angels. But you can expect two teams to move to Los Angeles."
Raiders owner Mark Davis has said previously that his preference is to stay in Oakland, but not without a new stadium deal. A report from CBSSports.com in September noted that the sale of the Oakland franchise, which is the likeliest plan for a move to L.A., would net $2 billion.
"They still face a highly uncertain stadium situation with their lease in Oakland expiring after the season and the team no longer interested in going year-to-year there. League sources said the NFL now believes the Raiders could generate $2 billion or more if sold, and, selling the team remains the most likely path for a move to Los Angeles."
Hopefully for fans of the Silver and Black, the team will remain in Oakland. Otherwise, fans in L.A. better get their gear ready.
