A big step in the process of finding the Oakland Raiders a new home happened Friday. On Friday, the Nevada Legislature passed a stadium bill by a vote of 28-13, according to ProFootballTalk. But it’s still too soon to start printing those “Las Vegas Raiders” t-shirts.
The Raiders still have hurdles to clear before than can move to Las Vegas
Now, they need league approval, and that might be harder to come by than the $750 million they just got from Nevada taxpayers.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nevada governor Brian Sandoval still has to sign the bill, and is expected to do so on Monday. Once he signs off on it, the NFL owners will have the Raiders’ fate in their hands, where they’ll discuss whether or not to allow the team to move. That meeting is next week in Houston.
The bill will take $750 million in taxpayer money to construct a stadium in Las Vegas for the Raiders. A hotel tax will be the source of the funds for the stadium.
The Raiders released the following statement on their website:
“I would like to thank Governor Sandoval, the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee, and the members of the Nevada Legislature on this historic day, ” said Raiders owner Mark Davis. “All parties have worked extremely hard to develop and approve this tremendous stadium project that will serve as a proud new home for the entire Raider Nation.”
While this is a big step, the Raiders still have to get approval to move to Las Vegas from the league. The NHL welcomed a franchise to Las Vegas in June, and with Los Angeles out of the picture and the Raiders intent on moving, it could very well happen.
The Raiders will play the next two seasons in Oakland, Davis told ESPN. He’ll update owners on the overall situation on Tuesday and Wednesday at the owners meeting in Houston, and he wouldn’t be able to formally apply for a move until January.
Getting the green light from owners might be a little tougher than it was, say, for the Rams to move to Los Angeles. According to one report, a number of owners are still committed to keeping the team in Oakland, and part of the league’s brass is working behind the for a downtown site for a new stadium.
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