City, Raiders fund poll to gauge San Antonio's support of NFL team





Here are 9 reasons why the Raiders should come to San Antonio. The Oakland Raiders have spoken with top city officials about moving the historic franchise to the Alamo City.



Here are 9 reasons why the Raiders should come to San Antonio. The Oakland Raiders have spoken with top city officials about moving the historic franchise to the Alamo City. Image 1 of / 14 Caption Close City, Raiders fund poll to gauge San Antonio's support of NFL team 1 / 14 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — For those of you who think that outside chance of the Oakland Raiders relocating to the Alamo City is dead – think again.

Mike Sawaya, director of Convention, Sports, and Entertainment Facilities for the city, told the San Antonio Express-News the city has teamed with the Oakland Raiders to hire a sports industry consultant that's in the process of polling local residents about a potential relocation.

An email poll has already circulated among some 50,000 people who have attended events at the Alamodome, asking questions about the purchase of season tickets, ticket prices and other issues.

The research is being jointed funded by the city and the Raiders.

The survey's key question: "Would you support the Raiders were they to move to San Antonio?" The poll, conducted by California-based Barrett Sports Group, will also reach beyond people who are already on the Alamodome's mailing list.

When the research firm's report is done, it will also cover potential fans from the Austin area.

Sawaya said doing such research is due diligence and had always been part of the plan to determine whether a Raiders relocation would be successful.

Dan Barrett, founder and principle owner of Barrett Sports Group, said the result of the survey should be known by late November or early December.

"It's a fairly straight-forward survey that we would use in other markets, but it's tailored obviously specifically to this market and to this situation to try to gauge the demand the market might have to support the Raiders," Barrett said.

The Raiders' lease at O.co Coliseum in Oakland, California, expires at the end of the season.

The club has targeted San Antonio as a possible relocation option, although many NFL experts think its more likely it would wind up in Los Angeles should efforts to gain a new stadium in the Bay Area fail.

In July, city officials wooed Raiders owner Mark Davis and other team officials in San Antonio.

Staff writer Tom Orsborn contributed to this report.

jbaugh@express-news.net

Twitter: @jbaugh