The NFL announced today that the Oakland Raiders will play the Houston Texans in Mexico City on November 21 of this year, and that it will considered a Raiders home game – possibly because the nation’s estimated 22 million NFL fans are enamored with the silver and black.
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The Raiders applied for relocation to Los Angeles for the 2016 season, but league owners voted to allow the St. Louis Rams to move, and also gave an option to the San Diego Chargers to join the Rams in L.A. That left the Raiders in an outdated stadium while they try to work out something in Oakland.
The NFL said its decision to return to Mexico was based on several factors, including general fan interest, the size and value of the overall sports and entertainment market there and the potential for year-round sponsorship and fan engagement.
Local fans may be upset over the removal of one of eight home dates this season, but these games hold a special meaning for global fans that outweighs that loss of a home game.
“That’s great news”, Davis said. Even if his franchise has to sacrifice one true home game in the process. “I would believe the team wouldn’t go in as early as the team contingent”. A crowd of 103,467 attended the contest.
Mexico City stands 7,382 feet up, meaning the team could come late to avoid issues with altitude. “We’re very excited about being back, we have a tremendous following down in Mexico”, said Goodell during his state-of-the-league address ahead of Super Bowl 50 on Sunday between the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers.
Davis generally avoided questions about relocation, but did say Mexico City isn’t among the places he’s considered for a permanent Raiders’ home.
– He said he “was disappointed in what I saw” in last Sunday’s Pro Bowl and said changes could be on the way. I know that the National Football League is looking whether we’re going to put franchises in global cities.
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The International Series in London remains a priority with three games in multiple stadiums being played in 2016. “The opportunity to televise this game is particularly exciting for ESPN as part of our commitment to the NFL’s growing Hispanic fan base and with the launch of our new production studios and daily NFL Live show in Mexico City”.
