Mark Davis helps Las Vegas Raiders gain steam
Oakland Raiders Owner Mark Davis made an appearance in Las Vegas to support a proposed Dome Stadium, which makes Las Vegas a serious threat for the Raiders’ relocation.
Think about it… What city is easily accessible from Northern and Southern Calif.?
What city combines the blue-collar spirit of Oakland with the Hollywood-appeal of Los Angeles – the only two markets the Raiders have played in?
The answer is not San Diego, Portland or San Antonio. It is Las Vegas.
Oakland Raiders Owner Mark Davis said he wants to make the Silver State into the Silver and Black State.
Sounds corny or catchy, depending on where you want the future Raiders to play.
Las Vegas is nowhere near the market size of Los Angeles or Oakland, but it is still bigger than Jacksonville or Greenbay. The Raiders would also be the only major sports team in the Las Vegas market, where their biggest pro events include NBA exhibitions.
The Raiders would also be the only major sports team in the Las Vegas market, where their biggest pro events include NBA exhibitions.
Plus, Las Vegas does offer a good location and some sex-appeal. More importantly, they are offering a lot of funding for a stadium.
Therefore, it should not be a surprise that took his flirtation with Las Vegas a step further. Davis, along with David Beckham, was in Vegas to support the proposed stadium project.
In fact, Davis pledged half a billion dollars to the project, if the city delivers on the stadium.
Raiders owner Mark Davis says team will commit "half a billion dollars" to the project #SNTIC pic.twitter.com/FUAvqt9st7
— Howard Stutz (@howardstutz) April 28, 2016
Some people right Las Vegas off, but there is a reason Davis is showing his hand.
Naysayers cite gambling concerns. They cite Davis’ wants to stay in the Bay Area.
However, reports indicate that the other owners are growing on Las Vegas. The NFL already has relationships with Daily Fantasy Sports, which operates in the grey area of gambling. Plus, Las Vegas keeps the Raiders out of Los Angeles.
As for Oakland, the two sides have not progressed since the Raiders bid for Los Angeles in January. The Colisseum rent already went up three times this year.
Raiders president Marc Badain: "We have made no progress" with Oakland for new East Bay stadium since L.A. vote in January.
— Scott Bair (@ScottBairNFL) April 28, 2016
Sure, the Raiders sold out season tickets in Oakland for the first time. However, those fans will follow them to the neighboring state.
Wake up! The Las Vegas Raiders could actually happen, like it or not.
Pretty much no one in the NFL, or Oakland/Alameda County, has taken Raiders owner Mark Davis seriously. He officially has their attention.
— Jerry McDonald (@Jerrymcd) April 28, 2016