Report: UNLV wants to lure Oakland Raiders to Las Vegas

A recent letter from UNLV president Len Jessup suggests luring the Oakland Raiders to move to Las Vegas. 

As if gambling and college athletics weren’t a great combo already, it looks like Las Vegas Sands and UNLV are partnering on a deal for a new stadium that could have ramifications outside of academia.

In a letter sent today by UNLV President, Len Jessup, it is made known that Las Vegas Sands plans to announce their support to build a new special events stadium on 42-acres of Vegas land recently purchased by UNLV. Furthermore, the letter states that officials from the Oakland Raiders will be making their way to Nevada, and they have requested to see the aforementioned 42- acres. As they scout locations to accommodate their very calm and considerate fan base, Sin City could be a match made in heaven for the Silver and Black.

“Certainly if a public-private partnership can be formed that includes the development of a new special events stadium on the 42-acre site that has little or no cost to UNLV – and we have the ability to use the new stadium – then it is something we would look at very seriously,” wrote Jessup who also serves as Vice Chair of the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee.

Obviously getting to play in a beautiful stadium that you didn’t have to pay to build is any college presidents dream, but bringing an NFL franchise to Las Vegas would be a monstrous move for Nevada tourism, even if you’re like me and think show girls and sports betting are enough to book a flight.

The biggest piece to the Oakland Raiders puzzle lies south of Oakland in San Diego where reports are the Chargers are close to determining if they want to stay in San Diego or join the Rams in Los Angeles. If the Bolts stay put, the Raiders could potentially join the Rams in L.A. Another option that has been tossed around for the Raiders is San Antonio, and while they might have the right colors for that city, owner Mark Davis has not made any firm commitments.

While plans for the new stadium to house the Raiders are more desert sand than concrete right now, this news is certainly interesting and could mean more changes in the landscape of the NFL.

Let’s just hope if this does come to fruition, and the Raiders end up in Vegas, not too many members of The Black Hole end up in the hole.