Fansided

Raiders owner will commit to Las Vegas relocation if stadium funding approved

By Jason Parker

Jun 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders helmet of defensive end Justin Tuck (not pictured) at minicamp at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders helmet of defensive end Justin Tuck (not pictured) at minicamp at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis will reportedly make a commitment to relocating to Las Vegas if the city approves funding for a new stadium.

This offseason, NFL owners approved the relocation of the Rams franchise from St. Louis to Los Angeles along with a deal that would allow the San Diego Chargers to leave their home city and join the Rams up the road after the 2016 season.

If the Chargers stay in San Diego, the Oakland Raiders would get dibs on returning to the city they spent 13 seasons playing in from 1982 to 1994. As it turns out, the Raiders may not have to worry about that because their eyes seem to be set on a different city.

According to an article from the Los Angeles Daily News, Raiders owner Mark Davis is ready to commit to a relocation plan for the team to move to Las Vegas and a proposed stadium in the city:

"Davis will be in Las Vegas Thursday when the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee (SNTIC) meets to discuss plans to build a 65,000-seat stadium near the Las Vegas strip, and according to sources, Davis will offer a commitment to pursue a Raiders relocation there if financing for the $1.3 billion project is approved.In Las Vegas, the Raiders envision a home base that would enable them to tap into the furthest reaches of their fan base. Las Vegas would be their primary market, but its elements as one of the most popular destination points in America would be the magnet they use to draw in Raiders fans and season-ticket holders from across the country."

The stadium, a project that is backed by casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, would be located on the strip in the city and would also be home to other events, including a possible agreement to host games for the UNLV Rebels.

Any move by the Raiders would have to be approved by 23 of the remaining 31 owners in the NFL, with some insiders believing that owners would be willing to move on from past hesitation of putting a team in the gambling capital of the United States.

In addition to previous flirtation with Los Angeles, the Raiders have entertained a possible move to San Antonio, Texas (a city that previously hosted NFL football when the New Orleans Saints played some of their 2005 games in the city following the tragic events surrounding Hurricane Katrina).

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