NFL approves Raiders move to Las Vegas, Dolphins only dissenter
Mar 27, 2017, 12:58 PM | Updated: 9:15 pm
In a nearly unanimous yay vote, the NFL has paved the way for the Raiders move from Oakland to Las Vegas.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reports that 31 of 32 teams approved the relocation bid during the NFL’s owners meetings in Phoenix on Monday, with the Miami Dolphins being the lone dissenter.
Raiders to Vegas: 31-1 Miami opposed, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 27, 2017
With the approval, the Raiders become the third franchise in just more than a year to move to another city — with the Rams and Chargers both relocating to Los Angeles.
In a statement released through the organization, Raiders owner Mark Davis praised the city of Oakland, saying the city will “always be a part of our DNA,” but it is time for the club to look toward the future.
“My father always said, ‘The greatness of the Raiders is in its future,’” Davis said, referring to his late father, Al. “And the opportunity to build a world-class stadium in the entertainment capital of the world is a significant step toward achieving that greatness.”
Davis said the plan for the Raiders is to play its games at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, the team’s current home, in 2017 and 2018 while its Las Vegas stadium is being constructed on the southern end of the famed Las Vegas Strip.
In an interview published the team’s website, Denver Broncos president and CEO Joe Ellis said Sam Boyd Stadium, where UNLV plays its home football games and the city’s only viable temporary facility, “needs some work before it’s NFL-ready.”
In the meantime, Davis asked fans to not direct any anger toward players, coaches, and staff, and that the franchise wants to leave Oakland on a high note.
“We would love nothing more than to bring a championship back to the Bay Area,” Davis said.
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @JohnnyHart7.