Roger Goodell using his pull to keep Raiders in Oakland

By MATT YOUMANS LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

9 years ago

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, left, laughs as Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis talks to the media after an NFL owners meeting Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis speaks with the media before the Gridiron Greats Hall of Fame Induction dinner at the Silverton hotel-casino Friday, June 3, 2016, in Las Vegas. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @davidjaybecker

Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis, left, and Edward Roski Jr., president and chairman for Majestic Realty Co. meet media members before the Gridiron Greats Hall of Fame Induction dinner at the Silverton hotel-casino Friday, June 3, 2016, in Las Vegas. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @davidjaybecker

Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis arrives at the Gridiron Greats Hall of Fame Induction dinner at the Silverton hotel-casino Friday, June 3, 2016, in Las Vegas. (David Becker/Las Vegas Review-Journal) Follow @davidjaybecker

The Raiders’ relocation saga is turning into a tug of war. Owner Mark Davis is pulling the team to Las Vegas. On the other end of the rope, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is exploring ways to keep the team in Oakland.

Goodell, according to a San Francisco Chronicle report, “has been making calls pushing the idea of letting a predominantly African-American investment group, led by former 49ers star Ronnie Lott, help build a new stadium for the Raiders in Oakland.”

In a Friday visit to Las Vegas, Davis repeated his commitment to relocate the franchise if a financing plan for a new domed stadium is approved. While Davis collects support from some of the league’s most powerful owners, it is becoming clear that Goodell could be his toughest opponent.

Davis brushed off a question regarding the Lott-led group potentially changing his plans.

“We tried to get something done in Oakland, and we can’t at this point in time,” Davis said. “It’s a very tough political process up there.”

Goodell reportedly is persuading Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf to consider a stadium plan being put together by Lott and his investment group. Lott’s group is interested in owning a portion of the team, and it’s doubtful Davis would jump at the offer. According to Forbes, the Raiders are worth $1.43 billion, the second-lowest franchise valuation in the NFL.

“I am encouraged by the team (Lott) has assembled,” Schaaf told the Chronicle. “My recent conversations with Commissioner Goodell and others have given me confidence it’s time to continue our conversations.”

Davis said he is concentrating on the political process in Nevada and a proposed $1.4 billion, 65,000-seat stadium near the Las Vegas Strip. The project would be funded through a public-private partnership including the Raiders, Las Vegas Sands Corp. and Majestic Realty. About $750 million in public funding would come from hotel room taxes and $650 million from private sources.

“We have been transparent in everything we do,” Davis said. “I’m focused on Las Vegas.”

The Review-Journal is owned by the family of Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. Follow on Twitter: @mattyoumans247