[toc]The NFL has officially confirmed a Las Vegas franchise after months of speculation.
Today in Phoenix, AZ, the 32 NFL team owners convened to decide on the Oakland Raiders’ potential relocation to Las Vegas, NV.
The move was approved by every owner except for the Miami Dolphins’, hence, starting from 2020, the Las Vegas Raiders will be playing games in a new stadium worth $1.9 billion.
Raiders will stay in Oakland for the time being
The team is certainly relocating, however, unlike the recently relocated Los Angeles Rams, the Raiders are not yet packing their belongings.
The team will continue to stay in Oakland for a minimum of two more seasons. In the meantime, the construction of the $1.9 billion stadium that attracted the team out of California will commence. These two final years in Oakland are being referred to by some as “lame duck” years, a description with which team owner Mark Davis vehemently disagrees.
To begin with, I wouldn’t characterize us as a ‘lame duck’. We are still, and always will be, the Oakland Raiders, representing the Raider Nation. As I mentioned before, there will be fans who are upset and angry about the situation. It’s my responsibility to explain the circumstances, the reasons, and the aftermath to them. I hope that we can resolve any issues and collaborate for the future.
As football enthusiasts in Vegas celebrated by the Welcome to Las Vegas sign, their counterparts in California expressed disappointment at the team’s second relocation. The Raiders had previously relocated to Los Angeles from 1982 to 1994.
Sam Boyd stadium not an option for the team…yet
At present, the Rams and the University of Southern California football team share the LA Coliseum. However, a similar setup is not planned for the Raiders and the University of Las Vegas (UNLV) Rebels.
The Sam Boyd Stadium, where UNLV football games are held, is smaller than the LA Coliseum. The stadium in Vegas can seat 35,500 people, whereas the Coliseum can accommodate 93,000 spectators.
Sam Boyd’s lack of seats and possible issues accommodating TV crews make it an unattractive choice. The Clark County commissioner even went as far as to deem it “unsuitable for NFL games.”
The LA Chargers are currently undergoing relocation and are scheduled to play at the StubHub Center in Carson, CA. This stadium, with a capacity of only 30,000, is the smallest in the NFL, attracting a considerable amount of criticism due to its size.
If the team hits a deadlock with Oakland Alameda Stadium, Sam Boyd is not completely off the table. However, their ultimate goal is the new Las Vegas Stadium.
$750 million in tax dollars will go towards new stadium
The team, the NFL, and bank financing will primarily fund the new domed stadium. However, Nevada tax dollars will contribute $750 million towards the cost.
Casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson initially promised $650 million to the project, but he withdrew the offer last year. Despite this obstacle, the project is still set to proceed.
How will the Las Vegas Raiders affect sports betting?
Throughout history, the NFL has firmly opposed sports betting. Currently, they are a plaintiff in an ongoing sports betting lawsuit involving New Jersey. Previously, the league steered clear of hosting any games in Nevada, a state where sports betting is legal. However, it has hosted numerous games in London, England, where betting on such games is also legal.
The NHL made history last year as the first major sports league to establish a team in Las Vegas – the Las Vegas Golden Knights, which is set to begin league play in the fall. The NFL’s similar move may indicate a shift in attitudes and increased openness towards sports betting within the league.
Concerns have been raised that Nevada sports books may not be able to offer bets on Raiders games. Albert Breer, a reporter for Monday Morning Quarterback, brought up this subject with the league shortly after the move was confirmed.
When NFL EVP Eric Grubman was asked if there is a clause requiring the Raiders to be removed from the board, he responded, “We haven’t addressed that issue as a league.”
This was tweeted by Albert Breer on March 27, 2017.
The answer suggests that the league is currently not addressing this issue, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a negative thing. However, as the Raiders’ relocation becomes increasingly imminent, the topic is likely to resurface.
