Leaving Las Vegas for an on-the-road training camp atmosphere took the Raiders to Los Angeles, where the NFL rules regarding “exclusive home territory” for teams in the market will prohibit fans from attending practices.
The Raiders would be in violation of the NFL rule protecting a geographic perimeter for the two teams whose home market is Los Angeles — the AFC West rival Chargers and Rams — if they permitted public access or invited local media to training camp.
Owner Mark Davis told ESPN the Rams and Chargers enforced the restrictions, and there are no established paths to overturn the exclusivity clause.
“It would be nice if all the fans could be there, but, whatever. Like I said, the Chargers and Rams have that ability,” he said.
Head coach Antonio Pierce said the only reason he would be concerned is if the primary objective of “team bonding” was impacted. From his perspective, the rule doesn’t change things for training camp.
“Team bonding, getting together and getting to know one another, to get away from all the distractions — it’s all about ball,” he told ESPN. “Just ball.”