The Raiders have been rumored to be moving to Las Vegas for some time now. Despite some obstacles in their move, they will officially be headed for Las Vegas following the owners vote on Monday.
The annual league owner’s meeting began on Monday, with all principal owners voting on league matters. None were more pressing than the Raiders move to Oakland; the issue was up in the air following stadium investors falling out previously. The move could be beneficial for the long-term bottom line of the league, however, and the owners officially weighed in.
The vote among owners was vastly in favor of the Raiders relocation. It passed 31-1, with Miami being the only dissenting team, according to Jason La Canfora. With no stadium ready in Oakland, he went on to add, the expectation is that the Raiders will continue play in Oakland during the next two seasons before moving.
The Raiders have been in Oakland since moving from Los Angeles in 1995. Originally, they were in Oakland from 1955-1981 before returning. The franchise has played home games at Oakland-Alameda County Stadium from 1966-1981 and then 1995-present. Their stadium is is now 51 years old and has become outdated for today’s times.
Additionally, the Raiders are the only team in the NFL to share a stadium with a baseball team. The days of having a baseball infield on the field will officially be a thing of the past as a result of this vote.
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While some fans may worry about the family-friendly league operating in Las Vegas, apparently this isn’t too much of a concern for the owners. Las Vegas has increasingly become a family friendly city with increasingly more permanent residents, which should help them support a pro franchise. The NHL is expanding into the Las Vegas market, and the NFL is now not too far behind. If any team’s culture and history belongs in Las Vegas, it is the Raiders.