“I know he’s excited about it”, Majestic Realty Co.
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Davis didn’t finish that sentence. Plus, he was in the wrong state. Silver’s analysis, which centered on whether the NFL should add a team in London, found that Las Vegas ranked 22nd worldwide in its quantity of NFL fans – nine spots below the San Francisco/San Jose/Oakland market, but ahead of Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Green Bay-Milwaukee, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Charlotte, Kansas City, New Orleans, Buffalo, Jacksonville and Nashville – all of which have NFL franchises.
Who among Davis’ allies could help sway the National Football League to approve the move?
Davis spoke today at a meeting of the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee, an 11-member panel formed by Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval.Davis said he wants to turn the Silver State into the “silver and black state”.
Also speaking on behalf of the project was Tim Leiweke, the former president and chief executive of AEG who spearheaded two unsuccessful attempts by that company to build stadiums in downtown Los Angeles.
“This is not a bargaining chip”, Davis said in a press conference.
“To bring a great organization like the Raiders to Las Vegas is fantastic, but it’s bigger than that”. In 1981 they moved to Los Angeles for 14 years. The proposal includes $650 million in private funding and $750 million in public funds paid with an increase in tourism taxes, according to the Las Vegas Sun.
Overshadowed by the NFL Draft and the suspension of an Major League Baseball star Thursday, was the news that the Oakland Raiders are firmly committing to re-locating to Las Vegas.
Davis’ backing is key to the stadium’s viability.
On the morning of the NFL Draft, Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis told reporters in Las Vegas that “The Las Vegas Raiders are now undefeated”.
The idea that gangsters are going to lean on players to influence outcomes of games is a paranoia of another era.
However, reports indicate that the other owners are growing on Las Vegas. Raiders owner Mark Davis is willing to pony up a half billion dollars to make it happen.
“All of us have evolved a little bit on gambling”, Goodell said Friday on ESPN Radio on whether gambling in Las Vegas is an issue for the possible Raiders relocation. Backers said Thursday they would ask for a special session of the Nevada Legislature in August to approve diverting some room-tax funds for the stadium.
However, there remains one big obstacle to any plans for relocation: league approval.
“The question is whether or not it’s even worth having the conversation about keeping the Raiders here in Oakland when it seems you’ve made up your mind”, Reid said.
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“Let’s give them [the NFL] an offer they can’t refuse”, said Davis. However, if the Chargers stay in San Diego, the Raiders may have the option to move to the City of Angels. Oakland has made it clear that public financing isn’t an option there. The A’s also play at the Oakland Coliseum. Davis did say the Raiders would play an exhibition game at Sam Boyd Stadium during that time.
