Commissioner Roger Goodell gathered 32 NFL owners for one big question. One of the league’s most wanderlust-stricken franchises is looking to move again. The Oakland-Los Angeles-Oakland Raiders, tired of gutting it out in a run-down stadium, were once again looking for greener pastures. Only the Miami Dolphins refused to cooperate. With a vote of 31-1, the Oakland Raiders have been given permission to move to Las Vegas in 2020. So much for a tradition of excellence.
The move is one of many made by Las Vegas and Nevada governor Brian Sandoval, who have already recruited a NHL team to Vegas (to be dubbed the Golden Knights). Now, for the low cost of $750 million dollars in public funding, the Raiders are going to Vegas, too. They’ll be sharing a new domed stadium with the University of Nevada Las Vegas. Until 2020, the Raiders will remain in Oakland, with a possible shared stadium with the San Francisco 49ers in 2019, depending on if they renew their lease on the Coliseum.
“My father (Raiders founder and legend Al Davis) always said, ‘the greatness of the Raiders is in its future,’ and the opportunity to build a world-class stadium in the entertainment capital of the world is a significant step toward achieving that greatness,” reads a statement from Raiders owner Mark Davis. “I would like to thank Commissioner Goodell, the National Football League and my 31 partners. I would also like to thank Governor Brian Sandoval and the Nevada Legislature for their commitment. Finally, I would like to thank Sheldon Adelson for his vision and leadership, without which this project never would have become a reality.”
Tags: football, nfl football, national football league, raiders, oakland raiders, las vegas raiders, oakland raiders moving to las vegas, raiders moving to las vegas, professional football, mark davis, al davis, sports franchise moves, brian sandoval, unlv, university of nevada las vegas