Is it really such a great idea for the Oakland Raiders to move to Las Vegas?
The Broncos’ old neighborhood ain’t what it used to be, as homes of both the Raiders and Chargers have fallen into disrepair. But it appears the Raiders might have stumbled into a solution. Las Vegas, which embraces beautiful losers, has fallen in love with the Silver and Black. The mayor wants to build a stadium. Duh Rai-duhs on duh Strip. What could possibly go wrong? Renck: No team profiles better for Las Vegas than the Raiders. Black and Silver in Sin City? That sounds like a show on the Strip. I’d hate to see the Raiders leave Oakland, because their fans are so loyal and real. But the condition of their stadium has left them in a bad spot. Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane admitted a couple of years ago that his main concern was keeping raw sewage out of the locker room. The place is a candidate for “Flip or Flop.” I don’t mind it. But two years ago, I could have lived without the press box’s dead rat, which was the size of Splinter from “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.”
Listen, I think the Raiders belong in Oakland. I love the Black Hole, because unlike every new stadium in the league, it’s not some plastic football Disneyland. The Raiders fans who dress up like a wild mutation of Darth Vader and Elvis are not scary; they transform every NFL Sunday into Fat Tuesday. But here’s the deal: The city of Oakland does not have the money to build a new stadium. It’s time to go. Viva, Las Vegas.
Here’s the problem with staying in Oakland. Even if the Raiders build a new stadium, there’s no guarantee it would be in Oakland. If they aren’t staying there, Las Vegas becomes more palpable. NFL games are events. And the Raiders would evolve into a national team within a few years of being in Las Vegas as fans across the country make seeing them in person destination vacations eight times a year. Kiz: For the first time since he took control of the Raiders, Mark Davis might have finally captured the spirit of the thing. His late father dressed like a lounge singer, and a town built on neon would appeal to Dirty Al’s renegade spirit. In a league that caters to fantasy football wagering, any objection to Nevada sports gambling’s taint on the Shield would be laughable. One more thing: Nothing says Super Bowl week like Wayne Newton and Britney Spears. The championship game belongs in Sin City. Renck: Super Bowl in Las Vegas? The NFL commissioner is Roger Goodell, not Adam Silver. Let’s take baby steps. Start with the nickel slots, Kiz. The Raiders in Las Vegas stinks for Oakland fans, and would be bad news for the Broncos. The Raiders would become a magnet for free agents, who might jeopardize their bank accounts and marriages but make the team better in the process. I don’t gamble, so I have no rooting interest in this debate. But I have been to Las Vegas for endless youth sports events, and I know the place appeals to all types, including those with painted faces and Darth Vader masks.