Goodell: A lot of work to be done before NFL approves Vegas

Just last week, Nevada officials agreed to recommend a $750 million public funding plan to the legislature for a potential $1.9 billion National Football League stadium that would be home to the Raiders.

Last week, the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee voted to recommend that $750 million in public money – taken from an increased tax on Las Vegas hotel rooms – be allocated for a new football stadium in the city, specifically one that would accommodate the Oakland Raiders in a couple of years.

Goodell then used the Vikings’ new $1.1 billion stadium as an example of what can get done when a small market team works with local lawmakers to build a stadium.

Speaking before the Minnesota Vikings’ first regular-season game at their new stadium against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night, Goodell told a group of reporters the movement from “protests to progress” is a positive sign. “That’s why we work so hard with our communities to say, ‘This is what you have to try to get to, ‘ because you need to try to make sure this franchise continues to be successful'”.

“I truly respect our players wanting to speak out and change the community”, Goodell said, according to Tom Pelissero of USA TODAY Sports.

The Raiders have already filed trademark paperwork for the name “Las Vegas Raiders”, and owner Mark Davis met last week with billionaire Sheldon Adelson, the man who is pushing for the team to relocate to Vegas.

“I think where they’re moving and how they’re moving there is very productive and we’re going to encourage that”, he said.

The Raiders are now on a one-year lease to play in the Oakland Coliseum. So, recognize that they came out of committee with a bill – there’s still a lot of work to be done to approve that recommendation.

The Raiders left Oakland for Los Angeles in 1982 before returning north in 1985.