Projected costs for a proposed NFL stadium in Las Vegas "might not be as high as anticipated," leaving Raiders Owner Mark Davis "looking for a new investment partner but possibly needing less money to complete the project," according to a front-page piece by Saraceno & Graney of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. Davis intends to build a $1.9B, 65,000-seat domed stadium, but some league execs wonder whether that price tag "is exorbitant." To date, no NFL stadium has "cost more" than the $1.74B for MetLife Stadium, but by '18 a new stadium in Inglewood will be built at a cost of $2.66B. Several NFL officials who have "dealt specifically with stadium issues" believe the cost of new stadiums are "affected mostly by one feature -- the roof." Reducing the "number of stadium escalators and elevators" could help The Las Vegas Stadium Authority "trim costs." Falcons President & CEO Rich McKay said, "Whether or not you have a retractable roof or not makes an incredible difference in cost. So many things that go with that can drive (up) costs" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 2/5). Redskins President Bruce Allen worked for the Raiders with Davis from '96-'03, and on Friday he "made it clear that as far as Davis is concerned, the Las Vegas deal isn’t in peril." Allen: "The deal is going to work out. I’ve heard only positive things. ... If you think of NFL cities that are known across the world, Las Vegas is going to be in the top five. I see it as a future Super Bowl destination, future drafts being held there. ... If Jerry Jones thinks it’s smart for the Raiders -- which he does -- then he will absolutely support them" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 2/4).
MISSED OPPORTUNITY: In San Jose, Carl Steward wrote under the header, "In A Week Of Big Numbers, Mark Davis Rolls Out A Loser" (SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS, 2/4). In S.F., Scott Ostler wrote 49ers CEO Jed York "leapfrogged" Davis in the "Bay Area Team Owner Power Rankings." Davis’ drop in the standings "wasn’t easy, considering that the Raiders win a lot of games and the 49ers lose a lot of games." Davis "needed a big week to fall below his rival, and he delivered." First, Davis "botched his move to Las Vegas, enraging all his would-be financial partners." Then he "sold out Raiders fans and players" by agreeing to "send the Raiders to Mexico City again next season" against the Patriots. This "deprives Raiders fans and players of a home game, potentially one of the most emotional and juicy" of the season (S.F. CHRONICLE, 2/5).
