Oakland Raiders owner pledges $500 million to new Las Vegas stadium

Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis is increasing the chances of relocating to Las Vegas with a massive money promise for their new stadium.

In the last year, the ownership and management of the Oakland Raiders have done everything they possibly could to get the heck out of the Bay Area as soon as possible. Now it appears they could be one step closer to having a new place to call home.

In recent months, the Raiders have been linked to a possible move to the city of Las Vegas, providing that that area is able to get funding approved for a massive, $1.3 billion domed stadium that would likely house both a NFL team and the UNLV Rebels, as well as other events like concerts and shows.

With the proposal having the backing of some major power players in Las Vegas, Raiders owner Mark Davis is there this week talking to a local tourism council. At that meeting, Davis made a pledge that makes a move by the team to the desert look a lot more likely:

The Raiders, who moved back to Oakland following the 1994 season after 13 seasons in Los Angeles, had tried to make a move back to L.A. in a combined stadium proposed with the San Diego Chargers. NFL owners voted against that plan, approving a single one for the now Los Angeles Rams.

The NFL later approved an extension for the Chargers to decide if they want to join the Rams in their new stadium starting in 2019. If the Chargers decline that move, the Raiders would be next in line to be offered a spot. The Raiders signed a one-year deal with the city of Oakland for the 2016 season, with options for both 2017 and 2018.

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