Over the weekend I watched the opening games of the new XFL football league. The league has different rules and scoring systems compared to the NFL, as well as faster pace of play and very little commercial breaks. No North Californian team was awarded a spot, with the closest team being Los Angeles.

While the quality of play was poor, I began to wonder if a Oakland team would workout for this new football league. The Raiders left the East bay area this winter, relocating to Las Vegas. With the Niners being the only Bay Area football team left, I thought about how Oakland fans would react or embrace a new football team in the XFL. Team names such as the Oakland Phantoms or Pirates would be pretty cool, but I’m not sure if the loyal Raider fans would bother to show up. The Oakland Coliseum could work as a site but the city would most likely object or find it hard to land a deal with the new team.

I definitely think the XFL should consider adding an Oakland team for the 2nd season, if expansion teams would become available and the first season is a success. I know most Oakland football fans could never betray the Raiders but at least it would give the Bay Area a new team to support.