Lost Battle for Raiders Cost $4.9 Million

The Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum went into debt, spending nearly $4.9 million, in its failed effort to lure the Raiders back to Oakland, according to financial reports.

The biggest expense in last year’s campaign was $2.2 million in fees paid to two law firms that represented the Coliseum, Oakland and Alameda County in talks with the team, according to reports released by Coliseum directors.

Raiders boss Al Davis decided last September to keep the team in Los Angeles, dashing the hopes of officials in the Oakland, Sacramento and Irwindale to lure the team.

Alameda County Supervisor Don Perata, who led efforts to bring the Raiders back, strongly defended the large bill.

“The expenditure was justified. . . . To not spend the money would mean we would lose our ability to compete with other cities and, thus, lose our ability to attract and maintain professional sports franchises,” he said.

Coliseum Board President George Vukasin said the cost paid by the Coliseum left the sports complex with its first budget deficit in 25 years of operation.

“We are anticipating a $1.5-million deficit in the 1990-91 fiscal year,” Vukasin said. “We took that money out of our contingency reserve fund, which will have to be replaced next year.”

Vukasin said next year’s coliseum profits, which are supposed to be turned over to the city and county, will be used to replenish the reserve fund.

Oakland spent more than $9 million in an eight-year legal fight after the Raiders moved to Los Angeles in 1982.