What remains to be seen is what type of home field advantage the Raiders will be able to get. Hopefully the laser pointers won't be an issue this time around.
The Oakland Raiders aren't just moving to Vegas in the future: they're also leaving Oakland for next season. The Raiders announced today that they'll decline the option on their stadium lease at the Coliseum and will instead play in at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
The Raiders played a game in Mexico and were slated to play a game against the Patriots this year as well. Instead, they'll spend the next few years in Mexico City, until the new stadium in Vegas is complete.
"We had a great experience in Mexico," Commissioner Roger Goodell said. "We couldn’t have asked for a better reception. We always envisioned it being more than a one-year commitment."
The move comes as a direct response to backlash from Oakland politicians following the announcement of the Vegas move. Oakland Councilman Larry Reid said "I don’t want them here" and was looking for ways to cancel the lease options the Raiders had. He no longer needs to, as the Raiders are leaving on their own.
"The Raiders were born in Oakland and Oakland will always be part of our DNA," owner Mark Davis said. "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."
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Head coach Jack Del Rio, a Bay Area native, said it was a difficult situation for him.
"My emotions are mixed. While I'm sad for family and friends and fans in the Oakland area, I also recognize the tremendous opportunity going forward for our organization," Del Rio said. "That being said, my mission remains the same. To lead this team here and now. Players and coaches need to understand their defined roles. We all need to bring positive energy everyday as we focus on things that we can control."
The NFL is now pushing this as a move to bring football beyond the United States. Between the games in London and a team set in Mexico for the coming year, the NFL is becoming more global.
"I think this is seen by all involved as something that goes beyond everyday politics and goes to the heart of what sport is all about," Mark Waller, the NFL’s executive vice president for international said. "Which is bringing fans together, people together, cultures together and celebrating that."
NFL fans in Mexico are pleased by the move.
"The NFL is doing great [with Mexican fans]," Rodrigo Cortes, a 37-year-old video game journalist said. "As a consumer of the league, this is fantastic. We're going to be able to watch one of the best teams of all time."