Raiders may play 2019 in San Francisco

The Oakland Raiders will reportedly play their final season in the same city where it all began for them — San Francisco.

In somewhat of a stunner, owner Mark Davis has reached a deal with the Giants to play the 2019 season at Oracle Park (formerly AT&T), NBC Bay Area’s Raj Mathai reported Sunday night.

Mathai indicated a formal announcement of the one-year deal is expected to be done this week. Meanwhile, a Giants spokesman told this newspaper no deal has been completed with the Raiders.

However, any deal will also need to include the approval of the 49ers, who still own territorial rights in San Francisco despite moving to Santa Clara in 2014. Although the 49ers declined comment Sunday night, sources familiar with the situation said the 49ers have not waived their territorial rights, which would also need NFL approval.

An NFL spokesman referred all questions regarding the Raiders’ 2019 home field to the club, which has thus far had no comment.

In the past, the NFL has preferred to see the Raiders share Levi’s Stadium, which goes against Davis’ long-stated wishes.

Raiders coach Jon Gruden has expressed his desire to stay in Oakland for one more season. If anything, staying in the Bay Area would allow the Raiders to practice at their Alameda facility and not board a plane for all 16 regular season games (which Gruden would’ve despised), as would have been the case if they played in San Diego, Arizona or London.

Two months ago, Davis and the Raiders backed out of a tentative deal to play at the Oakland Coliseum in 2019, their last season before heading to Las Vegas in 2020. The Raiders were angered by the antitrust lawsuit the City of Oakland filed against them and the NFL for leaving Oakland.

If the Raiders were to play at Oracle Park, they’d likely begin the season with three road games during September. The Giants are scheduled to return home for a Sept. 9 game Monday against Pittsburgh, which would create a tight window for getting the baseball field ready following a Sept. 8 game on the opening weekend of the NFL season.

The Giants are at home against Miami during the

NFL’s second week, but are in Colorado for Week 3. The Giants are at home against the Dodgers on Sept. 29, the fourth week of the NFL season.

Although Davis said he’d try to put his emotions aside, the Raiders owner has indicated he wouldn’t be much interested in paying rent to Oakland while its officials are suing him.

Earlier this week, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the Raiders were focused on playing in the Bay Area next season. Davis’ Bay Area options seemed to be down to either the Coliseum, Levi’s Stadium or Oracle Park.

“I stand by what I’ve said in the past,” Davis told this newspaper earlier this week in response to Goodell’s comments. “I’ve been absolutely consistent.

I want to stay in the Bay Area, but we’re looking at all options. I haven’t changed my mind.”

Davis didn’t immediately respond to a message seeking comment on Sunday night’s NBC Bay Area report, but did respond to a text from ESPN.

“When we’re ready to make an announcement, we will,” Davis said.