Mark Davis would need 24 votes from his fellow owners to green-light a Las Vegas move, but Vincent Bonsignore of the Orange County Register notes motivation exists within the NFL to agree to this move thanks to myriad circumstances.
The Rams preferring to keep the Los Angeles market for themselves and this week’s California State Supreme Court ruling making a Chargers’ long-term stadium hopes much less likely provide clarity on multiple fronts for a Raiders-to-Vegas venture. It would give the Chargers, who loom as a fringe Vegas option, a clear choice between San Diego or Los Angeles and allow for precise negotiations between the team and its current city without the Raiders complicating their push for L.A. by remaining in that mix. Although Vegas is now Davis’ front-burner option, his team still sits behind the Chargers in the Los Angeles pecking order.
Sources also informed Bonsignore the prospect of a second Los Angeles franchise remains preferable to the league, if only for the purposes of it forcing action on other cities to build stadiums, mentioning the Bills, Jaguars and Saints as those who could use Los Angeles as leverage.
Here’s more on Las Vegas, as well as the latest from around the league.
- While the Raiders and the prospective developers did not like what came out of the Southern Nevada Tourism and Infrastructure Committee’s meeting last week — one that calls for $550MM in public funds to be raised for the proposed $1.45 billion stadium — all parties are optimistic a deal will be reached by the time a financing plan needs to be submitted to Nevada governor Brian Sandoval later this month, Bonsignore reports. “We are nearing the end of this process, but we certainly have [four] more weeks in order to resolve any differences we have,” said SNTIC chairman Steve Hill, via Bonsignore. “And it’s my sense, and most will agree, that everyone involved in this conversation is trying to work to make [the stadium project] happen.” The SNTIC will meet again on July 11 and later on July 28 to attempt to wrap up this plan.
- Kelechi Osemele‘s arrival will slide Gabe Jackson from left to right guard, a position the promising third-year performer hasn’t played since college, Eddie Paskal of Raiders.com notes. On the strength of his pass-blocking, Jackson rated as Pro Football Focus’ No. 13 overall guard last season.
- D.J. Hayden and T.J. Carrie are the primary competitors for Oakland’s slot cornerback job, Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com writes. Sean Smith and David Amerson are expected to start. Hayden spent the most time working there during offseason workouts, but the Raiders did not pick up the 2013 first-rounder’s fifth-year option after a thus-far-underwhelming career. Carrie, who started 14 games last season, possesses more physicality for the role in Bair’s mind, however. After the team moved Keith McGill to safety, Neiko Thorpe resides as the most experienced challenger for slot duty.
- Raiders third-round rookie Shilique Calhoun is also learning a new position.