The Silver and Black are heades east to Las Vegas thanks to NFL owners, who approved the move to Sin City by a 31-1 margin. The Oakland Raiders needed 24 votes to make the relocation happen and got that and more in today’s owners meeting. Only the Miami Dolphins owner did not approve the proposition, leaving the franchise one vote shy of a unanimous decision.
Fans, in the short term, should not be saddened by the news quite yet. The Raiders will still play in Oakland in 2017 and most likely another one or two seasons looking forward.
To fund the move, the organization will put up $500 million toward building a $1.9 billion dollar domed stadium that will seat an estimated 65,000 fans. A hotel tax passed by Nevada Legislature will also fund another $750 million and Bank of America will also help finance the project. Don’t expect this to happen until 2020, though.
The team will look to secure a facility for 2019 with only two one-year lease options in Oakland.
Raiders owner Mark Davis spoke to his father’s legacy as to why this move is happening. He mentioned the fact that he is still committed to Raiders Nation, although he understands there will be angry and disappointed fans. The team will be called the Oakland Raiders as long as the team is in the city.
UPDATE: Derek Carr issues statement on the move
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) March 27, 2017
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