Raiders: Anywhere but Oakland? Search for new home extends to Las Vegas
OAKLAND, Calif. (KTVU) - The search for a new home for the Oakland Raiders continued Friday.
A photo posted on the Las Vegas Sands Twitter account, shows Raiders owner Mark Davis with the casino company’s owner. This news didn't sit well with some in Raider Nation.
"I think his father would be rolling over in his grave. Are you kidding me? Al Davis knew that the loyalist fans were in Oakland that's why he brought them back,” says Raiders fan Kirk Anderson.
It's possible that Davis may move the team to Sin City, where the Raiders could play in a new billion-dollar stadium on a vacant lot near the Vegas strip.
The Sand's tweet said, "Our chairman Sheldon Adelson had a great visit w/ Mr. Mark Davis. Looking forward to future conversations. #respect”
"Once again another slap in the face to Oakland Raiders fans," says Oakland Coliseum Authority Commissioner Chris Dobbins.
"Mark Davis has consistently said his highest priority is staying in Oakland," says Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf.
Schaaf made that statement Thursday before she even knew the Vegas meeting was going to take place.
For years, leaders in Alameda County have tried working with Davis on a deal that would keep the Raiders in Oakland with no luck. Just two weeks ago there was another setback, as Davis learned his team wasn't moving to L.A. when NFL owners voted against it.
"I know that the decision by the NFL was disappointing for him, and so I recognize that he's frustrated and needs a little bit of time to regroup," says Schaaf.
Some say the constant threat to move the Raiders has them wondering if Davis is saying ‘anywhere but Oakland’.
"It’s very frustrating that now he's looking at Vegas, San Antonio pops up. Depending what the Chargers do, either he can go to San Diego or go to Los Angeles, or even St. Louis," says Dobbins.
Some say Davis is just doing what's best for business. Others think the move is a bad idea.
"I think that is just poor ownership. I think he should let the Raiders stay where they are and let us be happy," says Raiders Fan Anita Brooks.
"He's probably weighing his options. I would like to think that he still wants to keep, to his word of staying in Oakland," says Dobbins.
On Tuesday, the Coliseum Authority will hold a closed-door meeting to get an update on where things stand on their current negotiations with the Raiders.
A spokesperson in Mayor Schaaf's office said, the mayor is staying focused on getting something done to hopefully build a facility in Oakland.