Raiders Owner Mark Davis has "no intention of selling a portion of the Raiders to anyone" and angrily called Las Vegas Sands Chair & CEO Sheldon Adelson's office after he was "caught off guard" last week when Adelson said that he expects to buy part of the team, according to Jason Cole of the BLEACHER REPORT. Meanwhile, Cole reported other NFL owners are "wary of an association with Adelson and it looks like the casino magnet's NFL hopes may be put on hold" ("Bleacher Report," 9/21). In Oakland, Daniel Mano notes it "sounds like Davis is particularly territorial about the team his dad built ... even while he pursues moving." Mano: "If part of Adelson's motive in bringing the Raiders to Las Vegas was ownership, he may be disappointed" (EAST BAY TIMES, 9/22).
SUPPORT STRUCTURE: Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval yesterday said that he "supports the efforts to lure" the Raiders to Las Vegas and plans to "call a special session of the Legislature 'as soon as can be practicably accomplished.'" Sandoval: "It is my intention to begin a special session no earlier than Friday, October 7 and no later than Thursday, October 13, pending conversations with legislative leadership." He said he recently met with Davis, who "was committed and resolute in the team's interest in relocated to our state" (RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL, 9/22). In Las Vegas, Chereb & Whaley note some state lawmakers are "cheering the prospect" of having the Raiders take up residence in Las Vegas, but they are "on the sidelines" on how a $1.9B domed stadium should be financed. Others want to see the "funding and oversight playbook before commenting." The state's 58 legislators were reached out to, and of the 27 who responded, "more than half said they are still gathering information and have not decided how they might vote" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 9/22).
A REAL HOMEBODY? In Sacramento, Andy Furillo notes it "looks as if the league wants the Raiders to stay in Oakland." Despite Davis' "public embrace of Las Vegas, he has maintained back-channel contacts with Oakland." Furillo: "Of course Oakland will have to put up a little something to keep the Raiders in town." Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf said that the city's end "probably will be in the low nine figures" -- $100-300M in "infrastructure enhancements." One thing Schaaf said that she will not support is a "hit on the city's general fund." The public contribution and Davis' NFL cash still leave a "possible Oakland project short by several hundred million" (SACRAMENTO BEE, 9/22).
