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Raiders Could Still Pursue Las Vegas Stadium Option Without Sheldon Adelson's Money

The Raiders may choose to pursue a Las Vegas stadium without the assistance of Las Vegas Sands Chair & CEO Sheldon Adelson, Steelers President Art Rooney II told reporters yesterday. Rooney, the NFL Stadium Committee Chair, said, “The Raiders are looking at the potential of doing without Mr. Adelson if it comes down to that.” Rooney spoke following a joint meeting of the league's stadium and finance committees in N.Y. Adelson has pledged $650M to a $1.9B stadium, but there has been no lease agreement thus far. Adelson last year was quoted saying he would be willing to walk away, suggesting negotiations with the Raiders were difficult. The Raiders did not file for relocation at the meeting and have until Feb. 15 to do so. NFL Exec VP/Business Ventures Eric Grubman said the league has hired PJT Partners to analyze what the relocation fee would be for such a move, with the effort being led by PJT Advisor Don Cornwell. PJT provided the same service in determining the Rams’ relocation fee (Daniel Kaplan, Staff Writer). In Las Vegas, Jon Saraceno cited league sources as saying that Adelson "continues to negotiate" with Raiders Owner Mark Davis in the "hopes of reaching a lease agreement." But Adelson's "ultimate goal remains to get a stadium deal, regardless of his potential involvement" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 1/12).

SUPPORT MAY BE THERE: In L.A., Vincent Bonsignore notes the Raiders during yesterday's meeting "hit all the various buttons with the NFL, and while approval still depends on 24 votes, there was strong indication ... that support will be there." Davis and Raiders President Marc Badain also "fielded questions from the owner-comprised stadium and finance committees, and while no specific numbers were broached the subject of a potential relocation fee was also discussed." Sources said that the meeting "boded well for the Raiders’ Nevada pursuit," as it " appears the NFL is growing more and more comfortable with Las Vegas soon becoming" a league market. Patriots Owner Robert Kraft said, "That’s a good possibility." Cowboys Exec VP, COO & Dir of Player Personnel Stephen Jones said, "It’s a very doable situation." Rooney said Davis is "close to making a decision" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 1/12). 

STILL NO PROGRESS IN OAKLAND: In L.A., Farmer & Fenno note a vote by owners on the Raiders is not expected "before the annual league meetings in March." Grubman said there were "no votes" yesterday. He added, "There were no straw votes ... no indication of hands, no polling.” Grubman also noted that there has been "no progress on the stadium front in Oakland." Grubman: “We continue to be in touch with the Oakland authorities whenever they want to talk. We’ve been in touch with Fortress [Investment Group], at their request several times. In the absence of that, there’s been no change" (L.A. TIMES, 1/12). In S.F., Vic Tafur cites a source as saying that Oakland is "being described by owners as a 'nonfactor at this point.'" The owners "did talk about possible relocation fees." But Rooney said that no "specific numbers were discussed" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/12). Also in S.F., Scott Ostler writes Raiders fans in the Bay Area "should not give up hope," because Davis "still needs more financing" to relocate. Ostler: "Until someone steps up with that $650 million, the Raiders’ Las Vegas stadium is a mirage" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 1/12). In Oakland, Jerry McDonald notes "it's not clear" how Davis would come up with an additional $650M if Adelson is "not involved" (EAST BAY TIMES, 1/12). 

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