Las Vegas Mayor Confident About Raiders Leaving Oakland
LAS VEGAS (CBS SF) – Following Raiders owner Mark Davis' pledge to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to build a stadium in Las Vegas, the city's mayor reportedly said she was confident about the move.
Mayor Carolyn Goodman said the team would leave Oakland for a new stadium off the Las Vegas Strip if the deal is handled properly.
"Mark Davis has assured us that Las Vegas is not getting played in a Raiders stadium deal," Goodman said in an ESPN podcast. "I know we will have a team."
Funding for the stadium won't be an issue according to the mayor, saying she is receiving calls from outside the region offering to help pay for the $1.4 billion facility.
Davis spoke to the committee studying the proposed Las Vegas stadium last month, saying, "there has been no progress in Oakland over the last few months." At the meeting, the owner pledged $500 million towards the project.
The stadium proposal is being backed by billionaire casino owner Sheldon Adelson and soccer legend David Beckham, who is considering moving his MLS franchise to Las Vegas from Miami.
Backers plan to ask the Nevada State Legislature to approve diverting $750 million in tourism taxes to help fund the stadium.
If a stadium deal is reached and the NFL approves the team move, Davis said the team could possibly play in Oakland for up to three seasons while the new facility is being built.
The Raiders, who will play at the Oakland Coliseum next season, have reportedly closed in on selling out season tickets for the first time in franchise history.
