The NFL owners have approved the Oakland Raiders' move to Las Vegas by a 31-1 vote at the NFL Annual Meetings, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Raiders to Vegas: 31-1 Miami opposed, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 27, 2017
Raiders owner Mark Davis released the following statement about the move:
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. 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.
Download Chat Sports for iPhone and Android
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.
Oakland had made a last-ditch effort this week to come up with a stadium plan that could keep the Raiders in town, but Goodell said the proposal was not “clear and specific, actionable in a reasonable time frame, and free of major contingencies.”
The Raiders had officially submitted their relocation bid to the NFL in January, and are expected to stay in Oakland for the next two or three seasons while their new stadium in Las Vegas gets built.
Download Chat Sports for iPhone and Android
The new stadium will be on the Las Vegas Strip. The city of Las Vegas is putting $750 million towards the $1.9 billion stadium project, with Bank of America providing $650 million in funding and the Raiders being responsible for the remaining $500 million.
“You know that our goal is to have 32 stable franchises for each of those teams and the league,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said of the "overwhelming" vote, via ProFootballTalk. “We’re all disappointed for Oakland and their fans.”
Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II also said that this move will give the Raiders a stable home “for the long-term.”
Follow our Oakland Raiders news page for all the latest Raiders news!
Back to the Las Vegas Raiders Newsfeed