Raiders officially Las Vegas Raiders

LAS VEGAS – Raider Nation has a new capital: Sin City.

At a special event in front of Allegiant Stadium on Wednesday, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak announced with Raiders owner Mark Davis the official renaming of the Oakland Raiders to the Las Vegas Raiders.

“The Raiders were born in Oakland and played 13 seasons in ( Los Angeles),” Davis said. “Both cities will always be part of our DNA. But today we begin a new chapter in our storied history. For today – January 22, 2020 – we are now the Las Vegas Raiders.”

The crowd outside the stadium erupted in applause.

“And today,” Davis said, “Las Vegas officially becomes our nation’s capital.”

The Raiders, the NFL team known for its rebellious brand and rowdy fan base, are preparing to play for the first time in their new Las Vegas home this fall.

The entire project, including a new stadium, training facility and headquarters, will cost more than $ 2 billion.

Sisolak presented Davis with a proclamation naming Jan. 22, 2020, the day the Raiders moved to Las Vegas.

Sisolak led the crowd in a chant: “Raiders! Raiders! Raiders!”

For decades, the NFL had a virtually nonexistent relationship with Las Vegas. But then the Raiders announced they were moving there from Oakland, and sports betting became legalized in much of the country.

Las Vegas will also host the 2020 NFL draft – complete with a red carpet stage constructed on the waters of the Fountains of Bellagio.

The Raiders will play at Allegiant Stadium, a 65,000- seat indoor facility rising just off the Las Vegas Strip.