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Raiders' Mark Davis Earns Respect Of Other Owners With Las Vegas Public Financing Deal

Raiders Owner Mark Davis with a "swiftness that has [the] league scrambling to catch up" has driven a deal with Las Vegas "towards the goal line," as he reportedly will file relocation papers to the NFL to move the team, according to Albert Breer of THE MMQB. The Raiders-to-Vegas deal is "far closer now than anyone would’ve imagined 10 months ago." Chargers Chair Dean Spanos said of Davis, "He’s earned a great deal of respect amongst the owners. He’s a committed owner. He loves the business. He’s in this for the long haul. And I think he’s gonna be successful in Las Vegas if he gets there, which I think he will. It remains to be seen obviously, but that’s my opinion.” Chiefs Chair & CEO Clark Hunt: "I completely respect how he’s handled the process over the last year." Breer notes there is a "small group of owners (led by Dallas’ Jerry Jones) who support the project, [and] a small group of older-school owners opposing." The "great majority remain undecided." Texans Owner Bob McNair: “He’s earned some respect by putting together this potential deal” (MMQB.SI.com, 10/20). But CSN Bay Area's Ray Ratto said, "There are a lot of people who seem to think the owners are going to go to Mark Davis and say, 'Okay, we'll vote for Vegas but you are going to have to divest some more of your interest and become a minority owner,' because there are a lot of owners who think that he just doesn't have enough money to run with them anymore" ("Sports Talk Live," CSN Bay Area, 10/19).

THE IT FACTOR
: The Cowboys' Jones in September said, "When I think of the ‘Wow!’, the idea of the entertainment aspect (in Las Vegas) and uniqueness of (the Raiders’ reputation) and how it might fit there in comparison to Indianapolis or Jacksonville fitting in there, there’s some positives going on.” But he admitted, "Market size is the question. Studies are going on right now to look at that. It comes in at the 20th- to 22nd-sized market.” Jones: “I really don’t think that gaming -- relative to what Las Vegas has done (while focusing on) families and entertainment -- is the issue it might’ve been 15, 20 years ago. Las Vegas has everything" (L.A. TIMES, 10/20). McNair: “Las Vegas has changed over the years. It’s a more family orientated destination now as opposed to just the gaming. It has made a lot of progress changing its image" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/20). McNair added, “I’m pleased they’ve made as much progress as they have. We’ll look at it when it is finally presented in total. These things are still so fluid" (AP, 10/19). NFL Network's Judy Battista said NFL owners "still have a lot of questions that have to be answered about what the size of the market is -- is it enough to support a franchise and what the stadium deal will be" ("NFL Total Access," NFL Network, 10/19). 

CARDS ON THE TABLE: PRO FOOTBALL TALK's Mike Florio writes it is "not hard to spot the clear 'yes' votes" for the proposal. The Cowboys "support it," and the Chargers "will support it, because it keeps the Raiders out of Los Angeles and reduces the total number of California teams back to three." The 49ers "will support it, because it gets the Raiders out of the Bay Area." The Rams also "will support it." Potentially "opposing the move will be the Giants, Steelers, and Bengals, at a minimum" (PROFOOTBALLTALK.com 10/20). The REVIEW-JOURNAL's Graney writes it is "abundantly clear" that the market is what owners "will evaluate most before choosing a side." No owners "broke out in hives and began foaming at the mouth at the thought of Las Vegas housing an NFL team in a town filled with casinos and sports books" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/20). ESPN's Joe Banner said the Raiders-to-Las Vegas situation is "one that there are many aspects to.” Banner: “Are there enough suite holders? Are there big enough companies there? Is there a big enough population? Is the population too transient? Are there the type of employees you need to operate and build a stadium?” The league would “love to find a solution to keep the team in Oakland" (“NFL Insiders,” ESPN, 10/19). The S.F. Chronicle today runs an editorial cartoon addressing the Raiders' potential move.

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