For longtime followers of the NFL it's a sad day when a franchise rich in tradition will no longer be associated with the town that made them. Money talks and Bull#### walks in the NFL. Screw the fans , as it just how much money can we make.
Considering that the sainted Al Davis already stabbed them in the back once and left town, I have a tough time getting too worked up over the damage to Oakland tradition here. The guy wanted out of Oakland so badly he went to court to make it happen - everyone knew he was desperate to leave. It was simply more greed that brought him back. The angst strikes me as about 35 years too late. And I would characterize the Colts leaving Baltimore and the Browns leaving Cleveland as way more damaging to the reputation of the NFL, which is why the league agreed to locate new teams in each city to settle lawsuits. I doubt anything like that will happen here.
Never liked the Raiders, but this is just wrong. They have probably the most loyal fan-base in the NFL. Win / Lose they tend to show up.
It sucks for the die-hards. But lets be honest...Most are RAIDERS fans and consider it a brand just like the Lakers, Yankees, etc. Its a unique team. Las Vegas Raiders sounds like a better fit to me The Golden Knights of the NHL is stupid as all hell, that will fail.
The Golden Knights have taken season ticket deposits for over 13,000 season tickets, don't put your house on the line for failure. The only thing worth betting on there is what name will the NHL team actually play under. The Trademark and Patent Office say Golden Knights is the property of the US Army for their Parachute exhibition team.
I didn't live in USA enough to care about the Raiders and their legacy in Oakland but fundamentally I don't like to idea of teams leaving their long time homes for more money. NFL is a money making machine. I am sure they could afford to build a stadium in Oakland to keep the tradition going. But in this day and age where almost every human being worshiping the money, I am not going to criticize NFL owners for watching out their pockets. My 2 Kurdish Cents
Season tickets selling in year 1? I mean how many times have I heard that with new franchises. Its years later that gets you. Atlanta Thrashers had a solid fanbase as well before they vanished
Except that I'd wager (that's what they do there) that the lion's share are not sold to individuals but to the casinos to have a supply for their whales.
It's a 30 minute trip from downtown San Fran to Oakland Coliseum, and the new 49ers home is an hour south down in Santa Clara. So rather than it being just an Oakland loss, the Bay Area lost one of its two NFL franchises. Basically, if regions dont provide for the state of the art, expect NFL teams to move. Its a shame really. Just as the Raiders became a team worth watching, off they go.
fuck the raiders but I just dont like the idea that just because a city doesn't agree to put up half the bill to build a castle they should lose their team. All these other cities that have whored themselves out have enabled this nonsense.
I've wanted a team in Las Vegas forever. But, the Raiders leaving California is a travesty. Forgetting about Oakland for a second, when I lived in San Diego, I honestly knew more Raiders fans than Chargers fans. And, later moving to the Bay Area, I found the Raiders to be just as popular as the 49ers were. That state LOVES the Raiders.
Second to Jets my Favorite Team...since teens Namath vs La Monica Kenny Stabler woo hoo Listen guys Silver and Black is where its at...Black Hole takes new location VIVA VIVA LAS VEGASSSSSS!!!!!!!
Las Vegas Raiders sounds a hell of a lot better than the Los Angeles Raiders did back in the 80's. I lived in LA from 1982 -1986 and nobody gave a shit about them.
The Raiders are going to play in Oakland for next season at least. I have to wonder, is that safe? I mean look at these guys. And this is when they aren't pissed off.
typical nfl these days. municipalities have learned that pissing money away on professional sports franchises so they can make billions is stupid. there are very few that I think you will see do it moving forward. las vegas I guess is going to pay for it by exercising a tax on tourists there for the fun. that's fine and dandy at least they aren't shitting on the citizens but shit rolls down hill. bottom line for me is that I bet that if the team isn't a winner in 5 years the stadium will be empty and nobody will give a shit just like they don't give a shit about unlv football. its not a football town and I just don't think it will have long term success. and then I think it will be even harder for teams to move. eventually all of the municipalities will realize how fucking stupid it is to give billionaires billions of dollars so they can make more billions and give the community nothing other than traffic and strains on the systems that are in place.
You're leaving out that Vegas already is a draw and for the same kind of people who will take a road trip to see their team play. People go to Miami when Miami sucks, people go to New Orleans when the Saints suck. Don't think that guys from Kansas City, Tampa or Seattle won't go to Vegas, ostensibly to see a game.