Will the NFL allow the Oakland…. err.. Los Angeles… err… Oakland Raiders to move yet again? It has been a hot topic all offseason in NFL circles, and many believed the biggest hurdle would be convincing other owners the move should happen.
If the tea leaves are to be understood, then it appears a major player appears to be on the side of the move. That’s because reports indicate New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is on board with a move to Sin City.
According to an interview with USA Today, Kraft voiced pretty clear support for Mark Davis’ plans, should Oakland and the organization not reach an agreement on a new stadium:
“I think it would be good for the NFL,” Kraft told USA TODAY Sports. “I know Mark Davis has tried so hard in Oakland. If they won’t do it … I want to support him.”
The organization and the city have been at odds for years over building of a new stadium, and neither side has moved. It led to the Raiders threatening to move back to Los Angeles and looking at options around the west coast.
The main issue of a move to Las Vegas has always of course been the gambling side of things and other obvious Vegas temptations. However, Kraft sees a very different vision when it comes to Sin City:
“I came into the league in ’94. Back then, any exploration of that market was dismissed out of hand. I’m looking where we are today and thinking of the last 10 to 15 years, and the emergence of new media, with Google and Facebook and the like. We’re just living in a different world, technology wise. The risks in Vegas are no longer exclusive to Vegas.”
Given the words of other owners and the commissioner, it appears a move to Las Vegas isn’t as far-fetched as once thought.
[theScore]
