I think the Raiders can make it work here. They'll draw.

There's a lot of hockey played here, youth through adult leagues. Also a WSHL team, the Las Vegas Storm. NHL will have no problem drawing a crowd here.

quote:

Originally posted by magicmedic:
Brandon Marshall, who plays for the Jets, and is a talking head on Showtimes "Inside the NFL" spoke about this very subject on the air.

He said something to the effect of: "The NFL needs to think long and hard before they send a lot of young players through Las Vegas every year. That's all I'm gonna say"

I don't know if it had to to with players partying, gambling, or worse organized crime and access to players partying and gambling, but being a young player himself, who has conveyed a respect for the game while broadcasting, I found his comment somewhat ominous.

Vegas=Greed.

That means they'll go for it. It is Pro-sports after-all.

quote:

Originally posted by magicmedic:
Brandon Marshall, who plays for the Jets, and is a talking head on Showtimes "Inside the NFL" spoke about this very subject on the air.

He said something to the effect of: "The NFL needs to think long and hard before they send a lot of young players through Las Vegas every year. That's all I'm gonna say"

I don't know if it had to to with players partying, gambling, or worse organized crime and access to players partying and gambling, but being a young player himself, who has conveyed a respect for the game while broadcasting, I found his comment somewhat ominous.

The NFL was leery of Vegas right up until Vegas was willing to solve the Raiders stadium issue. Yes, temptation lurks, especially for young players, but that same temptation is in most NFL cities. The casino industry on the scale of Las Vegas is a new twist but it's not like players don't have access to vices elsewhere. What's the difference between a night club, filled with hangers on and hookers, in Vegas vs Miami or NYC aside from the corporate casino the club is in? Is a player more likely to get into trouble on a road trip in Vegas with bed checks and meetings or during the off season when there's no net to prevent trouble? Most players tend to treat road trips as business trips.

Visiting teams will get a tax break not having to pay income tax that game in Whackyland. That's a lot of money for some.

quote:

What's the difference between a night club, filled with hangers on and hookers, in Vegas vs Miami or NYC?

This may require further investigation...
... I'll get right back to you.

CBS is reporting the owners discussed the possible sale of the Panthers. Apparently Jerry wasn't well enough to attend the meeting.

The team is denying it.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/n...ome-up-among-owners/

http://www.charlotteobserver.c...rticle140987518.html

quote:

Originally posted by magicmedic:
Brandon Marshall, who plays for the Jets, and is a talking head on Showtimes "Inside the NFL" spoke about this very subject on the air.

He said something to the effect of: "The NFL needs to think long and hard before they send a lot of young players through Las Vegas every year. That's all I'm gonna say"

I don't know if it had to to with players partying, gambling, or worse organized crime and access to players partying and gambling, but being a young player himself, who has conveyed a respect for the game while broadcasting, I found his comment somewhat ominous.

I saw that episode as I don't watch the games any longer and keeps me up to date for office, meetings, etc.

It will bad. Young millionaire athletes in The Devil's Playhouse. What could go wrong? Bad idea, but people forget this is a business first and foremost. It's a sport a very distant second.

8 home games in Vegas, every year, as opposed to the players flying to Vegas every weekend, during the offseason. Vegas is popular with the rich and famous because they can come play and not be bothered by assholes due to the excellent security. It's probably safer to party in Vegas than South Beach, for a celebrity.
I predict very little impact.

Bruce

This was a good move in my opinion. California would of had 4 NFL teams if they had stayed in Oakland.

quote:

Originally posted by Prefontaine:

quote:

Originally posted by magicmedic:
Brandon Marshall, who plays for the Jets, and is a talking head on Showtimes "Inside the NFL" spoke about this very subject on the air.

He said something to the effect of: "The NFL needs to think long and hard before they send a lot of young players through Las Vegas every year. That's all I'm gonna say"

I don't know if it had to to with players partying, gambling, or worse organized crime and access to players partying and gambling, but being a young player himself, who has conveyed a respect for the game while broadcasting, I found his comment somewhat ominous.

I saw that episode as I don't watch the games any longer and keeps me up to date for office, meetings, etc.

It will bad. Young millionaire athletes in The Devil's Playhouse. What could go wrong? Bad idea, but people forget this is a business first and foremost. It's a sport a very distant second.

Bad for who? Children with no self control? GOOD.

I can't possibly give a shit about saving anyone from themselves.

Having said that, the LV Raiders is PERFECT. That organization was MADE for vegas. I bet Al is smiling, especially at the begrudging approval of the NFL because it's about the MONEY, and they can't hide from it.

If the NFL had any god damn sense the chargers would still be in SD but they are greedy. And holy shit they are dumb.

Oh, and Colin! Maybe you can find a nice spot in the CFL, of course, that's assuming you wont choke like the no-talent scumbag that you are.

DAMN I miss football. What's on tonight? Oh yeah, fuckall...

quote:

Originally posted by RNshooter:
8 home games in Vegas, every year, as opposed to the players flying to Vegas every weekend, during the offseason. Vegas is popular with the rich and famous because they can come play and not be bothered by assholes due to the excellent security. It's probably safer to party in Vegas than South Beach, for a celebrity.
I predict very little impact.

Bruce

Agreed. To think anyone will be more prone to acting the fool because it's Las Vegas just doesn't add up in my view. Some guys will do that wherever they are. These are people who can find/afford any activity anywhere.

The moniker of Sin City doesn't mean much either. Everywhere I've ever been is sin city. If you want it, you'll find it.

The gambling angle isn't isolated to Nevada either. Is anyone going to say these problems don't exist in every big city? Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Philly, et cetera?

fuck.

The NFL seems determined to make highly questionable decisions until it's obvious to even them they are their own worst enemy. Probably been going on for longer, but really ramped up since Roger Goodell was installed as commish.

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:
The decision paves the way for the league’s third relocation in 14 months, and comes on the heels of the Rams and Chargers moving to Los Angeles.

The one I can't figure out is the Chargers moving to Los Angeles. Why would they want to be second fiddle to the Rams?

This whole thing makes me sad. The Bolts belong in San Diego. My favorite team.

Welfare for Billionaires. Only one owner voted against it:

Perhaps Oakland had its chance and failed to step up appropriately. But it’s fair to wonder how receptive the NFL and the Raiders were after Las Vegas ponied up $750 million (and potentially more) in public funding. Once an offer like that is on the table, it becomes hard to see anything else. And it’s also fair to wonder why the league’s one dissenting voter – the Miami Dolphins‘ Stephen Ross – was also the same guy who will spend over $500 million of his own money on stadium renovations in his city.

Ross stayed put and went into his own pockets to fix a problem. Davis is leaving and taking someone else’s money to solve his. Clearly the owners believe Davis leaving Oakland and venturing into Las Vegas, the 40th largest TV market according to Nielsen, is worth more to them than either forcing him to work it out in Oakland or sell the team to someone who can.

And now? Well, Buffalo Bills fans driving by their aging stadium may wonder what saying “no” to public funding could mean to their city’s NFL existence. It’s the same deal for New Orleans Saints fans, who might be wondering how much time was purchased with the hundreds of millions in cosmetic renovations to the Superdome in 2011.

Places like Jacksonville, Charlotte, Baltimore or Tampa Bay – where NFL stadiums are either approaching the 20-year-old mark or have already exceeded it –have to be aware that something is coming in the next decade. Either expensive renovations or maybe even a new stadium altogether, like the Atlanta Falcons.

If there is anything we’re learning now, it’s that NFL owners look at their stadiums like their running backs: when that 30-year mark hits, it’s time to upgrade.

https://sports.yahoo.com/news/...ities-003249608.html

Please get the whole story and don't fall for the 'corporate welfare' rhetoric.

Davis will put up something like $500 MILLION of his own money.

Something like $700 Million financed through BOA.

The rest is coming through increased room taxes passed on to visitors of Las Vegas - which was approved by STATE - not just local - legislature. Much of Vegas' services are provided FOR visitors so I have no problem with them paying for it (taxes on visitors).

Not exactly financed on the backs of the local populace - which I agree with you is a problem in many cases.

Just that - IN THIS INSTANCE - it is not a factor.

"Proponents project 451,000 new visitors will come to Las Vegas as a result of the stadium, ushering in $620 million in economic impact. That's based on the stadium hosting 46 events, including 10 NFL games, 6 UNLV football games and a variety of concerts, sports and other events.

Laborers and veterans testified that they needed the estimated 25,000 construction jobs the project will bring after the industry was devastated in the recession. The stadium is expected to bring 14,000 permanent jobs to the Las Vegas area."

I realize the above is a rosy picture but in Vegas's case - it already IS a major international tourist destination. The stadium will be just ONE MORE THING to draw people in.

This is huge for Vegas IMO.

The same obviously can not necessarily be said for Jacksonville, Buffalo, Cleveland or wherever.


---------------------------------------------

quote:

Originally posted by chellim1:
Welfare for Billionaires. Only one owner voted against it:

Perhaps Oakland had its chance and failed to step up appropriately. But it’s fair to wonder how receptive the NFL and the Raiders were after Las Vegas ponied up $750 million (and potentially more) in public funding. Once an offer like that is on the table, it becomes hard to see anything else. And it’s also fair to wonder why the league’s one dissenting voter – the Miami Dolphins‘ Stephen Ross – was also the same guy who will spend over $500 million of his own money on stadium renovations in his city.

Ross stayed put and went into his own pockets to fix a problem. Davis is leaving and taking someone else’s money to solve his. Clearly the owners believe Davis leaving Oakland and venturing into Las Vegas, the 40th largest TV market according to Nielsen, is worth more to them than either forcing him to work it out in Oakland or sell the team to someone who can.

And now? Well, Buffalo Bills fans driving by their aging stadium may wonder what saying “no” to public funding could mean to their city’s NFL existence. It’s the same deal for New Orleans Saints fans, who might be wondering how much time was purchased with the hundreds of millions in cosmetic renovations to the Superdome in 2011.

Places like Jacksonville, Charlotte, Baltimore or Tampa Bay – where NFL stadiums are either approaching the 20-year-old mark or have already exceeded it –have to be aware that something is coming in the next decade. Either expensive renovations or maybe even a new stadium altogether, like the Atlanta Falcons.

If there is anything we’re learning now, it’s that NFL owners look at their stadiums like their running backs: when that 30-year mark hits, it’s time to upgrade.

https://sports.yahoo.com/news/...ities-003249608.html

Oakland did the right thing by refusing to build a new stadium. These things are total money losers for the cities that build them. If Vegas can make it work for them, great. A place like Buffalo would be making a monumental mistake by "investing" in a plush new stadium. The same goes for New Orleans.

Question:
Does Mayor de Blasio really care?
Or does he fear that a New York team might be next? The Buffalo Bills? The New York Jets?
***
Mayor de Blasio on Wednesday went on a brief social media tirade against the multi-million dollar owner of an NFL football team — which plays all the way across the country.

The progressive mayor sent the Twitter missive in support of Oakland mayor Libby Schaaf, whose Raider franchise recently decided to take boatloads of cash from the city of Las Vegas and play there instead.

“Sad to see Oakland fans lose their team because one of America’s richest men greedily held a cash-strapped city hostage for public funds,” the mayor tweeted from his personal Twitter account.

In 2020, the team is expected to move into a stadium that costs $2 billion with $750 coming from the public coffers in Sin City.

Mayor Schaaf and the team’s rabid fans rallied for the Raiders to stay, claiming that a fully-financed stadium project was ready to go. But the team owners decided to walk.

“Oakland Mayor @LibbySchaaf took a courageous stand and I’m standing with her & Raider fans who lost their team due to pure, unbridled greed,” de Blasio wrote.

http://nypost.com/2017/03/29/d...inst-greedy-raiders/

Looks like some businesses are planning to prosper!

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/n...utside-of-las-vegas/

Bunny Ranch owner to open Raiders-themed brothel just outside of Las Vegas
One particular Vegas-area business is planning to take advantage of the NFL club's impending move

The second-biggest winner from Monday’s relocation announcement involving the Raiders was probably team owner Mark Davis, who just scored $750 million in public funding for a new stadium. However, Davis wasn’t the biggest winner though, because that honor goes to Nevada businessman Dennis Hof.

Just hours after the NFL approved the Raiders move to Las Vegas, Hof, who owns the famous Bunny Ranch, announced that he’s going to open a Raiders-themed brothel by 2020.

If Roger Goodell thought gambling was going to be the NFL’s biggest issue in Vegas, he might change his mind after listening to what Hof has to say.

For one, Hof said Raiders players will get 50 percent off at all of his brothels -- the Raiders establishment will be his seventh -- and they’ll also get VIP treatment at the newest brothel, which will be called The Pirate’s Booty Sports Brothel.

“I’ve had a license for a seventh brothel near Las Vegas for some time now, but I was waiting for the right time to launch another house of debauchery,” Hof said in a statement, via the Las Vegas Sun. “The Raiders coming to Vegas will mean big business for me.”

And just in case you’re wondering, yes, the girls will be dressed like cheerleaders.
“The VIP section will be exclusively available to Raiders players and other high-profile athletes and staffed with over 20 cheerleader-garbed working girls,” Hof said.

Free-agent visits to the Raiders just got a lot more interesting.

Since prostitution isn’t legal in the county where Las Vegas is located (Clark), the new Raiders-themed brothel will actually be located in Crystal, Nevada, which is about an hour and a half outside of Vegas.

Hof is hoping to open the brothel by 2020, when the stadium in Vegas also is scheduled to open.

This just keeps getting more comical...

http://bleacherreport.com/arti...ium-before-las-vegas

RAIDERS REPORTEDLY MAY PLAY IN SAN ANTONIO OR IN 49ERS' STADIUM BEFORE LAS VEGAS

Tyler Conway
Featured Columnist
March 29, 2017
The soon-to-be Las Vegas Raiders might not be stuck in two or three years of Oakland purgatory after all.

Vincent Bonsignore‏ of the Los Angeles Daily News reported Wednesday the Raiders could move to San Antonio if the situation in Oakland proves ugly in 2017. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the team could share Levi's Stadium with the San Francisco 49ers (h/t John Breech of CBSSports.com).

According to Brent Schrotenboer of USA Today, Sam Boyd Stadium, UNLV's football field, could also be an option.

Raiders owner Mark Davis said the franchise plans on staying in Oakland through at least the 2018 season, provided the fans want it there.

"We have two more years of lease options for Oakland right now," Davis said, per Breech. "If the fans would like us to stay there, we'd love to be there for that and possibly talk to them about extending it for maybe 2019 as well and try to bring a championship back to Oakland."

The NFL owners approved the Raiders' move to Las Vegas by a 31-1 vote Monday at the league meetings in Phoenix. The franchise will begin playing in a new $1.9 billion stadium in 2020. Construction on the facility, which had $750 million in public funding, is expected to begin this year.

The attitude in Oakland, which has been the Raiders' home for all but 13 years since their inaugural season in 1960, has understandably been tense.

"I would say to you with the highest level of confidence, my opinion and recommendation and that of my board members—I don't believe there is any appetite for a third season [in Oakland]," Oakland Alameda County Coliseum Authority executive director Scott McKibben told Schrotenboer.