When the Rams announced their return back to Los Angeles, the Raiders also had the option of joining with them if plans with Oakland went south. Actually the Raiders have Los Angeles in the furthest of options, as they have a new city in mind.
Say hello to the Las Vegas Raiders. Raiders owner Mark Davis could not have been more clear about his intentions Wednesday, when he informed fellow owners that, barring an unexpected surprise, he plans in January to file papers to move his team from Oakland to Las Vegas, multiple sources told ESPN.
“Mark Davis said that he was committed to Las Vegas 100 percent, and that there were several market studies being done by the Raiders,” said one source who was present when Davis made his presentation at the league meetings in Houston.
There appears to be growing support for Davis among some owners as he has made no progress with Oakland officials over the last few years and was given clearance to file for relocation to Los Angeles earlier this year, though he lost out to Rams owner Stan Kroenke. Also, Las Vegas has committed $750 million in public money toward building a new stadium, presumably near the Strip.
“I don’t know what there is to say other than, ‘Congrats, Raiders on getting the largest public subsidy ever and cleaning up our L.A. [mess],”
Another source familiar with the Raiders’ presentation told ESPN. “They’ve busted their ass to get something done. I respect that. … Once you’ve stepped up and produced something, you deserve better.”
With the push to Las Vegas, the Raiders should be in the clear to not be joining the Rams in Los Angeles. The only possible team so far that could join the Rams in LA is the Chargers, but there have been rumors saying San Diego will do everything to keep then.
The Rams would prefer the market to themselves, the NFL would prefer the other two teams stay where they are, and the Chargers and Raiders can do whatever they want instead of playing second fiddle in the new L.A. stadium being developed by Rams owner Stan Kroenke.
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