Big news out of the NFL today, folks! The Las Vegas Raiders is officially a thing now. Oakland needed a stadium upgrade badly, but it looks like they just won’t get it (for now, anyway). Los Angeles welcomed the Rams and the Chargers to town, and since the public was willing to fund at least a portion of the stadium in Las Vegas, here we are:
NFL team owners voted to approve the Raiders‘ proposal to relocate to Las Vegas during the Annual League Meeting in Phoenix on Monday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. The final tally to approve the move was 31-1, Rapoport added.
The Raiders won’t immediately move to Las Vegas since construction of their planned $1.7 billion domed stadium isn’t expected to be completed until 2020. They will play this season at the Oakland Coliseum and have a contract option to play there again in 2018. After that, they likely will have to find a temporary venue to play in until their new stadium just off the Las Vegas strip is built.
For a hot minute there, there was some doubt as to whether or not this move was going to happen, but it was pushed through by a staggering 31-1 vote. Bye bye, Oakland. Hello Vegas.
Now, boom – all of a sudden, we have a blossoming sports town in Sin City! First, they get the Golden Knights. Now, we can add the Raiders to the list. Except the Raiders are actually an ascending franchise. Who knows what’s going to happen with the Golden Knights? But, for the citizens of Las Vegas, you couldn’t have asked for a better team. Franchise quarterback – check. Emerging defense – check. Super Bowl aspirations – well, as long as the franchise quarterback stays healthy – check.
Once they move, it will mark the franchise’s third relocation since its inception in 1960.
In other words, just don’t get used to ’em, Vegas. Give it ’til 2030, and they’ll be the first NFL franchise in Brazil. The Brazilian Raiders – kinda catchy.
The Raiders are coming off their first playoff appearance since 2002 after posting a 12-4 record en route to finishing second in the AFC West. The franchise has won three Super Bowl titles and a AFL title during its 57-year history.
Like I said – pedigree. This is a great football franchise rich with history and just happens to have seemingly made it through its worst spell in franchise history. Good for you, Las Vegas. I’m happy. Just win, baby.
Also, if you’re an aspiring NFL prospect, how excited are you at the chance to call Las Vegas your second home? Damn, I’m drunk just thinking about a SoBros HQ in Vegas.
Stoney Keeley is the editor of the SoBros Network, Tennessee Titans Featured Analyst for Pro Football Spot, Contributor to FanSided’s Bama Hammer, and covers the WWE for WrestlingNews.co. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley, @PFSpot, @WrestlingNewsCo, @Bama_Hammer
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