The Oakland Raiders’ Mark Davis is not one of the ultra-rich billionaire owners in the National Football League.  He could not afford to personally bankroll a $500 million stadium renovation, like the Dolphins’ Stephen Ross. 

So, he needed help in getting a new stadium for the Raiders.. all kinds of help... like the $750 million in public money, the state of Nevada ponied up.. like the similar amount in the form of a loan from the Bank of America, reportedly brokered by Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones.

That kind of help is hard to turn down.  And Mark Davis didn’t turn it down.

So the Raiders will be moving into a palatial $1.9 billion glass-domed stadium in Las Vegas, for the 2020 NFL season.. and start enjoying the lucrative revenue streams a new stadium like that provides.

Wonder how much longer after that, Las Vegas will be hosting a Super Bowl?

It’s all part of the big trifecta move, the NFL has approved in the last year. the Rams and Chargers to Los Angeles, and now the Raiders to Vegas. 

And here is further proof that it’s all about the money.  Each NFL owner will receive approximately $50 million in relocation fees.  All except the owners actually moving, their cut is less.  No mystery, then, why the vote was 31-1 to allow the Raiders to move.

So, Raiders’ loyal fans.. depending on how many will still go to games.. will have 2 more years of the team playing in Oakland.. 2017 and 2018.  The new stadium in Vegas will supposedly be ready by 2020.

What happens for the 2019 season?

It depends on fan support in ’17 and ’18.  The team and the city of Oakland could negotiate one more yearly lease, for 2019, to play there again.

But if the Black Hole fans keep their pledge to give up their season tickets, and boycott the games, there are some options for the Raiders.

Like play a season at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, and share with the 49ers.. or at Cal’s Memorial Stadium.. or at the Alamodome in San Antonio.. or at AT&T Park in San Francisco, where the Giants play (don’t be surprised, it’s been done before).

Even though the Raiders have moved before, this looks like it for Oakland football.. for the immediate future.  The cash cow that is the NFL just keeps getting richer.  Loyal football fans are left behind to gather around an empty stadium on Sunday afternoons.
 
If you need a reminder, it’s all about the money.