Cory's Corner: Raiders belong in Las Vegas
Gambling has always been the elephant in the room in the world of sports.
That’s why Las Vegas has been denied time and time again as a potential pro city. The dangers that gambling could influence the outcome were too much and leagues just couldn’t pull the trigger.
However, times are changing.
Sin City is still awash in gambling and many other activities that are illegal throughout many other places in this country. But if the NFL doesn’t allow the Raiders to call Vegas home, then it is just being hypocritical.
In 2013, Forbes estimated fantasy football revenues to be $70 billion. Fantasy football has become another outlet for the casual fan to consume the NFL and it is one of the main reasons that the NFL has been able to put games on Thursday, Sunday and Monday.
And I understand the Raiders wanting to go to Vegas. This is a celebrated franchise with three Super Bowl titles and 24 Hall of Famers — yet in 55 years they haven’t spent more than 21 years in one city and have moved twice.
As long as the Nevada State Legislature approves $750 million in hotel taxes to fund the proposed $1.4 billion domed stadium to house the Raiders, UNLV football and the MLS it should start building now. There is also talk that the stadium would host the Super Bowl, Final Four and college football’s national championship.
And the moment that happens is the moment other leagues will follow suit like the NBA and NHL.
Las Vegas is the perfect melting pot city because there are always people there from everywhere. In recent years, not as many people are gambling there and opting instead to consume the wide spectrum of entertainment options.
The best way to put your foot forward in the entertainment arms race and make Cirque du Soleil a distant second place is by bringing in an NFL team.
And how many fans of Raiders’ opponents will circle an upcoming date at Vegas. Everybody has a Vegas story — from wedding parties to conventions to just burning a long weekend in front of the neon lights — you all know how attractive the city is.
And with the NFL in Las Vegas, I’m sure they could find a way to keep some of the fantasy money now that FanDuel and DraftKings are making millions each year.
There’s no other NFL team that this would work for. The Raiders have always held a renegade image and moving to a place that has never housed a pro team will not shy away from that label.
The NFL may sound and feel uncomfortable by going to a place that it’s never been before. However, it couldn’t have been more right.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (20)
Horse
May 14, 2016 at 06:54 am
Most tourists going to Vegas for what Vegas offers are not going to buy tickets for an NFL game unless their team happens to be playing the Raiders there, and maybe not even then. Some diehard fans might travel from Cali sometimes. Not sure if you've ever explored Las Vegas off the strip but the regular citizens there aren't exactly well heeled.
ray nichkee
May 14, 2016 at 07:00 am
I'll believe it when i see it. I'd have a hard time thinking of the raiders outside of California. You have to have back up plans to produce any leverage. Mark Davis is his fathers son though. It wouldn't surprise me.
MarkinMadison
May 14, 2016 at 07:13 am
It makes me squirm a bit. I'm an outlier. I have no Vegas stories.
Ok, I have one. I flew to Vegas, and waited at the airport for a shuttle to St. George UT. Then I went on a bike ride. I really enjoyed all of the National Parks. It was awesome. "She has large tracts of land." Then, on the way home, I was back in the airport. There were lots of blue haired ladies there playing slot machines. A Celine Dion protege was playing. And there was Cirque de Solei. That was it.
Anyway, the world is ready for the NFL in Vegas, even if I'm not. But I don't think Goodell is ready. The idea of a "stripper sent to hotel room of opposing player story," is too much for him to bear.
Oppy
May 14, 2016 at 07:18 am
No. The raiders belong in Oakland. Period.
dobber
May 14, 2016 at 08:49 am
The mystique of the Raiders is truly housed in Oakland. If they aren't playing there, I don't care where they play.
4thand1
May 14, 2016 at 07:58 am
Will the cheerleaders be naked? I wanna be the 1st male NFL cheerleader.
dobber
May 14, 2016 at 08:47 am
In this case, the rest of us would prefer you NOT be a cheerleader... ;)
4thand1
May 14, 2016 at 12:23 pm
lmao, I didn't mean me being naked. Ok cheerleader coach.
ray nichkee
May 14, 2016 at 12:51 pm
You could form the bottom of the pyramid.
MarkinMadison
May 14, 2016 at 06:27 pm
I think you're mixing Vegas up with Santa Clara now.
gr7070
May 14, 2016 at 09:15 am
NFL teams have trouble selling out in their hometowns with potentially millions of fans to support the team. 2/3 of the teams didn't sell out last year.
Without it being a clear winning, team I can't fathom a team selling well to mostly visiting fans. Not going to happen.
That doesn't mean it won't be a financial success, but those touting good attendance in Vegas are way off in that regard.
ray nichkee
May 14, 2016 at 10:12 am
I'm going off beat here but there is a good read about Ted Thompson at packersnews.com. check it out.
Packmaniac
May 14, 2016 at 07:35 pm
Vegas. Tackiest place I've ever been. Thankfully only once.
Bearmeat
May 15, 2016 at 07:30 am
NO. Just no.
No team "belongs" anywhere any more than the Raiders belong in Oakland. Add to it that this is (yet another) attempted bilking of a tax base to subsidize a multi-millionaire's play house???
Hell. No. Build your own damn stadium chumps.
Since'61
May 15, 2016 at 02:48 pm
The Raiders belong in Oakland. Beyond that if they want to move to Vegas or anywhere else they should pay for their own stadium and not burden the taxpayers. I am against any team using taxpayers' money to build a stadium. I will say that if any existing NFL team moved to Vegas the Raiders probably make the most sense, although I doubt that they would have the same loyal fan base that they have in Oakland. Also it would be very unfair to the Oakland fans who have always been steadfast behind their team. However, the NFL and the owners do not care about their fans, just the $$$$. Thanks, Since '61
4thand1
May 15, 2016 at 10:04 am
So true '61, $$$$$ is what it's all about. The average fan can barely afford a reg season game let alone follow their team to a SB. The Raiders are finally getting respect again so the ratings will go up. Perfect time for the NFL and Davis to pull the pin on there loyal fan base.
chugwater
May 15, 2016 at 06:10 pm
The aspect of this move that will bug me the most is if they play in a dome. Football is an outdoor sport that should be played in the elements. No sunbelt team can make a case for playing indoors (I'm looking at you HOU, ATL, ARZ, NWO, LA, DAL).
Call me a purist, but a Raiders team belongs outside, in the sun. Don't care if it's Las Vegas, Tucson, San Antonio, San Bernardino, or Yuma. But they lose quite a bit of their luster if they play in a climate controlled, sterile environment.
Tundraboy
May 15, 2016 at 09:28 pm
I would like to hear Las Vegas Tom's take on this.
LASVEGAS-TOM
May 21, 2016 at 01:31 am
Tundraboy, I'm all for it, & believe it will happen. How soon, who knows? The problem here is, right now there are no loyal fans. The only team that matters is who you have your $$$ on. There are many people that drive to Las Vegas every weekend from California. I don't think they'd have any problem with filling the stadium. What tickets they don't sell, the Hotels will give away. They have already changed the Gambling rule, so you will be able to bet on them. I HOPE IT HAPPENS.
LVT
LASVEGAS-TOM
May 21, 2016 at 01:36 am
P.S.
I'LL ALWAYS BE A PACKER FAN REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS!!
LVT