Though the Oakland Raiders did not win the bid for relocation to Los Angeles, one NFL official believes the team could be headed for a move to Las Vegas.
“I think it would be a mistake to just write Las Vegas off,” a high-ranking NFL official told the Los Angeles Daily News. “It’s all predicated on getting the financing in order, but if they do, considering the Raiders brand and how well it could play in Las Vegas and all the various other dots that can be connected, the Raiders would have a very compelling argument to make.”
The Raiders will stay in Oakland for the 2016 season after signing a one-year extension on their lease at the O.co Coliseum in February.
After the Rams were selected as the team to move to Los Angeles, the NFL gave the Chargers the opportunity to strike a deal with the Rams to join them. If the Chargers decide not to move to LA, the option to join the Rams then falls to the Raiders.
Raiders owner Mark Davis has discussed a move to Nevada with Las Vegas Sands casinos CEO Sheldon Adelson, who has proposed building a $1 billion stadium in the city.
– Erin Flynn