By a vote of 31-1, the NFL owners have approved the Raiders’ move from Oakland to Las Vegas.
The Las Vegas stadium project is reportedly worth $1.7 billion with $750 of public financing included.
The Raiders are the third NFL team in the last 14 months to relocate, joining the Chargers and the Rams. The Raiders left Oakland for the first time in 1982 but returned in 1995.
The Miami Dolphins were the only team to oppose the vote.
“A lot of questions are left to be answered, but this one was a huge one,” Ian Rapoport said on NFL Network moments ago.
The Raiders have released a statement on their move to Las Vegas.
“My father always said, ‘the greatness of the Raiders is in its future,’ and the opportunity to build a world-class stadium in the entertainment capital of the world is a significant step toward achieving that greatness,” owner Mark Davis said. “I would like to thank Commissioner Goodell, the National Football League and my 31 partners. I would also like to thank Governor Brian Sandoval and the Nevada Legislature for their commitment. Finally, I would like to thank Sheldon Adelson for his vision and leadership, without which this project never would have become a reality.
“The Raiders were born in Oakland and Oakland will always be part of our DNA. We know that some fans will be disappointed and even angry, but we hope that they do not direct that frustration to the players, coaches and staff. We plan to play at the Coliseum in 2017 and 2018, and hope to stay there as the Oakland Raiders until the new stadium opens. We would love nothing more than to bring a championship back to the Bay Area.”
We’ll be adding more information to this post as it comes available.