Oakland Raiders move to Las Vegas closer after stadium tax approved
Saturday 15 October 2016 15:31, UK
The prospect of the Oakland Raiders relocating to Las Vegas has moved a step closer.
Nevada's state lawmakers approved an increase in hotel taxes on Friday which is aimed at adding $750m (£615m) to the coffers and providing some of the finance for a new 65,000-seater stadium.
The remainder of the stadium costs will be undertaken by Sheldon Adelson, owner of the Venetian Casino, and the Raiders, although they still have hurdles to overcome before making the move a reality.
Las Vegas will have to be approved as an NFL venue by three-quarters of team owners, with the issue due to be discussed at the fall meetings next week.
The earliest the Raiders can apply for relocation is January 2017 and they could also face a backlash from long-suffering fans who also went through losing their franchise to Los Angeles ahead of the 1982 season - it eventually returned in 1995.
There has been reticence from professional sports leagues to get involved in Las Vegas because of the ready availability of legalised sports betting in the city, but an expansion National Hockey League team will arrive next season.
"All parties have worked extremely hard to develop and approve this tremendous stadium project that will serve as a proud new home for the entire Raider Nation," said Oakland's owner Mark Davis.
I would like to thank Governor [Brian] Sandoval, the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee, and the members of the Nevada Legislature on this historic day."
