By next week, the Raiders’ days in Oakland may be officially numbered.
Reports from both the Washington Post and MMQB have indicated that the vote for the Raiders’ relocation to Las Vegas from Oakland is expected to receive the requisite 24 of 32 yes votes from NFL owners at the league meetings next week.
One of the remaining roadblocks to the Raiders’ move was a steep relocation fee they were expected to be charged by the league. It turns out that is not going to be an issue according to Albert Breer of MMQB:
The Raiders aren’t packing for Vegas yet, but there may be no stopping them now. The league has made workable one potential road block for owner Mark Davis’ team, setting a range of $325 million to $375 million for the franchise’s relocation fee, sources tell The MMQB. That’s relatively affordable compared to the $650 million the Rams and Chargers each paid to relocate to Los Angeles.
Breer went on to say that the very fact that the owners are holding the vote, means that they belive they have the three-quarters approval required to pass. Additionally, a number of high ranking NFL officials have indicated they are anticipating the relocation to be approved, while stipulating it’s not a done deal.
From the Washington Post:
“I think it will be approved,” a high-ranking official with one NFL team said. “But I’m not certain yet.”
Those sentiments were echoed by others with knowledge of the league’s inner workings.
“I’m guessing it gets done,” one of those people said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the topic. “It really comes down to: What else are you gonna do?”
The Raiders are reportedly receiving $750 million in public funds for the Las Vegas stadium via Bank of America. This record setting figure stands as the primary reason the Raiders are looking to move away from the Oakland market, where they would have to finance a new stadium with largely their own money.
The vote will take place next Monday.