OT: Oakland Raiders will file papers to relocate to Las Vegas

Submitted by wildbackdunesman on

The NFL owners will have to vote approval, but it is in motion.  There use to be a concern of casinos and gambling have an influence over a pro-sports team in Las Vegas, but it seems like any of those potential influences have a reach outside of Las Vegas.

Link

westwardwolverine

January 14th, 2017 at 10:06 AM ^

I think one team to LA was okay and you're right that two is a disaster, but I don't get how this one makes sense.

I just can't picture Las Vegas caring about a football team. 

NinjaDMM

January 14th, 2017 at 10:48 AM ^

Las Vegas cares about football, this is a transient town with bars sprinkled throughout the valley that are "team specific". As in, let's go to the Lions bar and watch the game. There are a ton of Raider fans in Vegas, probably the 3rd biggest fan base there, behind the Cowboys and Steelers. The proposal in Oakland required Davis to give up something like 40 percent ownership to Ronnie Lotts group in order to fund the stadium, in Vegas, it's not that much. The taxes are coming from a new hotel tax, so the taxpayers aren't paying it unless they stay at one of the hotels.

It's going to be a pretty good situation for the Raiders, every game will be sold out, from tourists, the corporations, and the locals.

Don't underestimate the locals hunger for sports and Vegas is very much a "pro" sports town, like the east coast. It's going to be extremely popular. Also, the gambling aspect. It's going to be awesome. I just wish I still lived in Vegas for it.




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mgobleu

January 14th, 2017 at 11:34 AM ^

Exactly. It will be plenty enough draw from the home crowd, but it would be a comparatively huge draw for fans of other teams to see their team in a different, really fun town. Not to mention, picking up an NFL game if you're already in town would be about the same price range, if not quite a bit cheaper than 90% of the shows in Vegas.

Maynard

January 14th, 2017 at 1:56 PM ^

If it wasn't a gigantic moneymaker they wouldn't be frothing at the mouth to want to make it happen. Vegas will produce so much more revenue and interest from casual fans it will become a de facto casual fan's America's Team. Those foorball weekends will be pretty crazy because you can mix in a normal trip with a little in-game sports gambling that only that atmosphere will really provide.

 

sportzfan81

January 14th, 2017 at 9:59 AM ^

Visiting fans will outnumber home fans on some/most/all games....what fan wouldn't want to go to Vegas for a weekend? That's going to be "the" road trip game of every year. Especially for teams that due to rotation will only play in Vegas once every 3-4 years.




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superstringer

January 14th, 2017 at 11:13 AM ^

Depends on the team. Steelers fans travel in huge numbers. Its sort of a tradition for their fans to take warm-weather vacations in December to away games like Miami, Phoenix or San Diego. When they play in DC, half the stadium is their fans.

Dallas and Grren Bay travel well too, but Dallas might be more the result of just having more fans throughout the country.




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OwenGoBlue

January 14th, 2017 at 2:31 PM ^

Yes, particularly to destination cities where they may visit anyway. I have family that does an away game once a year and I join if it's NOLA or something.

Generally more expensive than college road games but it's easier for the most part because every NFL city has major airports (which you really need if you don't want to take Monday off).

M-Dog

January 14th, 2017 at 10:08 AM ^

Another reason I'm not a big Pro football guy.  You spend your whole life as a loyal fan of a team and then they just up and move it away so some rich guys can get richer.

Michigan may have some bad seasons here and there, but they are never moving to New Jersey.

 

Joseph_P_Freshwater

January 14th, 2017 at 10:09 AM ^

So they're pledging $500M of the $1.4B required to build the stadium. Hope the taxpayers don't get stuck with a huge bill...as usual.

In reply to by Joseph_P_Freshwater

Navy Wolverine

January 14th, 2017 at 11:54 AM ^

The tax payers always get hosed in these stadium deals. The owner and local politicians will make all kinds of unsubstantiated claims of how these stadiums will help boost the local economy. I'm sure this means that hotel rooms and rental cars will be more expensive for those traveling to Vegas in the future.