Will the Raiders regret moving to Las Vegas? | The Tylt
The Oakland Raiders just received provisional league approval from 31 NFL team owners to relocate to Las Vegas. The move will also force the NFL to alter league policy barring referees and other officials from visiting Las Vegas (to deter sports betting). The Raiders have called Oakland home for the majority of the past 57 years, and now fans feel betrayed. But some analysts think the team will draw bigger crowds in Las Vegas—especially with a brand-new stadium. What do you think? 🏈

The Raiders have been eyeing an exit from Oakland for awhile now, but with 31 of 32 NFL team owners voting in favor of relocation to Las Vegas—it's officially official. The last time we polled Tylters about a possible move, nearly 63 percent of you said the Raiders should stay in Oakland. But a new $1.9 billion stadium financed predominantly with public money, was enough to convince ownership. Will they regret it?
Here's the official statement from the Oakland Raiders:
ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders have received conditional approval from the National Football League to relocate the franchise to Las Vegas, Nevada.
“My father always said, ‘the greatness of the Raiders is in its future,’ and the opportunity to build a world-class stadium in the entertainment capital of the world is a significant step toward achieving that greatness. I would like to thank Commissioner Goodell, the National Football League and my 31 partners. I would also like to thank Governor Brian Sandoval and the Nevada Legislature for their commitment. Finally, I would like to thank Sheldon Adelson for his vision and leadership, without which this project never would have become a reality.
“The Raiders were born in Oakland and Oakland will always be part of our DNA. We know that some fans will be disappointed and even angry, but we hope that they do not direct that frustration to the players, coaches and staff. We plan to play at the Coliseum in 2017 and 2018, and hope to stay there as the Oakland Raiders until the new stadium opens. We would love nothing more than to bring a championship back to the Bay Area.”
At the end of the day, the Raiders needed a new stadium and Oakland was just not the place to get it done. Las Vegas has a proposed stadium ready to go. The Raiders will be able to play in a beautiful, state-of-the-art 65,000-seat stadium, financed mostly with public money. Oakland may be home to Raiders fans, but the city failed to keep the team from relocating. This is a good move for the Raiders that will set the team up for decades of success.
Yes!! Smart move Raiders! Get the hell out of California while you can! Can't wait to go to Vegas for some games! #JustWinBaby #Raiders
— Bobby Peyton (@Peyton571) March 27, 2017
Raiders heading to Vegas is such a smart business move. The city is always packed
— Brayton (@bgu_13) March 27, 2017
The Raiders are heading to Vegas! You gotta feel for the people in Oakland but ultimately, I think it's a smart move
— DJ Bailey (@DJBailey_) March 27, 2017
But fans feel betrayed. The Raiders built a home in Oakland and fans stuck by them, even through years of terrible football and Al Davis' toxic ownership. There was a long stretch of time when no one was paying attention to the Raiders, but the city of Oakland has always been there for the team. Holding fans hostage for free taxpayer-supported stadiums is just a slap in the face. Moving the team to a city that has loose morals and is a logistics nightmare, just for free money, is even more painful.
Vegas is a travel city and it can't sustain an NFL team. Terrible move by the raiders and I feel bad for all their fans.
— Andy (@AndrewSerrano9) March 27, 2017
I hate the sound of the Las Vegas raiders
— Matt Wagner (@AceBoogie333) March 27, 2017
Seriously hate this Las Vegas move. NOBODY WANTS THE RAIDERS TO MOVE
— L. Work (@conwork_) March 27, 2017