Davis was in Vegas for a meeting with city officials over the team’s possible relocation from Oakland, and upped the ante by pledging $500m towards the construction of a proposed stadium worth $1.4bn.
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Davis made his announcement Thursday at a meeting of the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee, an 11-member panel formed by Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval. Besides approval from 24 of 32 NFL owners and a blessing from state lawmakers, such a move would challenge the league’s reluctance to have a franchise in proximity to legalized gambling.
Davis said in February that the Raiders hired MacNeil, who spent 10 years as the San Francisco 49ers’ chief financial officer and was in charge of developing that team’s Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, to represent their interests in negotiations with the city and the county.
“Together we can turn the Silver State into the Silver-and-Black State”. He was joined at the meeting by billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, who is spearheading the stadium project, and David Beckham, who was there to promote the stadium for soccer use.
Davis said the Raiders would continue to play in Oakland until a Las Vegas stadium is ready.
“Las Vegas Raiders” has a certain ring to it, does it?
In Las Vegas, Davis has powerful allies in Adelson and Ed Roski of Majestic Realty Co., said longtime sports executive Andy Dolich. “I believe if we give them an offer they can’t refuse and that’s what we are talking about right now, I don’t see a problem”. The Sands would contribute another $150 million toward the stadium, and the rest, reports ESPN, would come from tourism taxes. 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.
Davis said this commitment was not just a leverage ploy. Funnily enough, the most recent Raiders lease extension allows the Raiders to play one “home” preseason game per season away from the Coliseum.
“We are as excited as everyone in having David Beckham and the leadership of the Raiders come to our town, but we are even more pleased and excited to witness the commitment to the convention and trade show industry that supports tens of thousands of jobs and opportunities for everyone in our community”.
Why do the Chargers need that extra option year anyway if the San Diego stadium referendum passes?
The Raiders’ $500 million was the same originally offered to build an Oakland stadium, a figure that includes a $200 million loan from the NFL’s G4 program. “We appreciate the support and passion of Raiders fans everywhere”.
The Raiders are on the lookout for a new home after a bid to relocate to Los Angeles foundered earlier this year when the National Football League owners opted to send the St Louis Rams back to the California metropolis.
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“Ultimately, that’s a decision of the ownership”, Goodell said Wednesday on Fox Sports’ “The Herd with Colin Cowherd”. He also suggested exhibition games would be played here by some of the world’s best-known teams, such as Manchester United.
