Goodell Says 'A Lot' Still Needs To Happen Before Las Vegas Has NFL TeamNevada Officials Still Considering Public Funding Plan |
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Just last week, Nevada officials agreed to recommend a $750 million public funding plan to the legislature for a potential $1.9 billion NFL stadium that would be home to the Raiders.
The stadium would be developed by Las Vegas Sands Corp., which is owned by billionaire Sheldon Adelson. Both the Raiders and Adelson would pay for the rest.
The NFL owners meet in January to vote on whether the team can relocate.
According to the Associated Press, Goodell said Thursday that “there’s still a lot that has to happen before we would get to” the Raiders in Las Vegas.
“You never want to see a community lose their franchise once, much less twice,” Goodell said of Oakland. "The Minnesota community did that in a great way. I think we can do it in Oakland. I think there’s a solution there, but it takes the community to help identify it.”
Goodell was in Minnesota last week to celebrate that team’s new stadium.
The committee’s recommendation goes to Gov. Brian Sandoval, who would have to hold a special legislative session to get the public contribution approved. A site hasn’t been selected yet, but it has been narrowed down to two locations.
According to the American Gaming Association, the fact that Las Vegas is being considered for a team proves that the future is bright for the U.S. gaming industry.
“When teams relocate or don’t relocate, it’s complex,” AGA CEO and President Geoff Freeman told Card Player. “There are a lot of different issues at play. Whether Las Vegas is the issue, that question has already been answered. There are other issues, and that’s what the Raiders, Las Vegas and the NFL will have to work out. The question whether Las Vegas is safe for the NFL has already been answered.”