The NFL declared on Monday that Las Vegas is the future home of the Raiders, an announcement that came in Phoenix, AZ after a vote was taken by the league’s owners, favoring Las Vegas 31-1.
For the past year the ongoing discussion of the Raiders’ possible relocation to Las Vegas had caused a growing sense of hope and speculation among Southern Nevada residents, but all speculation was finally put to bed with yesterday’s official announcement, casting also a flood of excitement throughout the City of Las Vegas, the state of Nevada, and throughout the entire region.
Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval reacted as the news broke, saying, “You know, I wish I had words for how big it is because there are only a set amount of franchises and for Las Vegas to be one of those really sends a message that again, Las Vegas is on the map. We’re here, we’ve arrived. We are the entertainment capital of the world, we have the best hotels, we have the best shows, we have it all. And now, NFL franchise as well as NHL franchise.”
But Las Vegas is not just getting any plain ole’ NFL team. Nuh-uh, no way. Vegas is getting the tradition-rich, historic, mega iconic silver & black Raiders, one of the biggest household brands of the entire National Football League.
Planning and development of a new $1.9 billion stadium in Las Vegas has begun to accelerate immediately, but before digging begins the Stadium Authority Board must first approve and finalize a lease agreement as well as development agreement, which will take time to sort out. A mountain of details needs to be ironed out going forward but with the NFL's green light now in place, the process will take on an invigorated pace.
In order to complete the Las Vegas stadium in time for the Raiders to play in their new home for the 2020 season, construction must commence before December of this year.
NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, stated that Las Vegas will host the Super Bowl after 2022.
The Las Vegas Raiders are embarking on a glorious new journey, and the City of Las Vegas welcomes its new NFL franchise, the "Silver & Black", with open arms.
