On March 27, the NFL approved the Oakland Raiders to move to Las Vegas after an overwhelming 31-1 vote. As a Vegas local, my eyes lit up like the neon lights on the strip when I heard the news.
Raiders fans are, for the most part, pretty distraught over this decision. Toph Buzzard, a junior sports journalism major and diehard Raiders fan, was saddened, but not shocked over the news.
“I think what makes me the most upset, is the timing,” Buzzard said. “It’s hard how good they’ve become…and now we’re leaving? It feels like a slap in the face.”
In the past year, two major NFL teams have also made big moves. The St. Louis Rams already moved to Los Angeles and the San Diego Chargers are right behind them. Football teams relocating to different cities is not new to the business, but it is still very touchy for dedicated fans.
Many Raiders fans do feel betrayed and some are considering not rooting for the Raiders at all. One photo on Twitter showed a group of Raiders fans holding a sign that said “If you build it, we won’t come.” This refers to the Raiders stadium that is set to be built in Vegas in 2020.
Earlier this week, an article was published in the Washington Post with the headline “Raiders should leave their name behind in Oakland. How about ‘Las Vegas Sinners’?” How original.
Since Vegas rose from the desert dust, it has been known for its lights, casinos and endless gambling. But Vegas has so much more to offer. Over 600,000 people call this place home. This may come as a shock to many, but there are locals who are Vegas born and raised.
My home has been far overlooked, simply being labeled as just a “tourist city” and it’s time for that stigma to end. Vegas is where families are raised, kids go to school and people make a living. And we deserve a professional sports team.
Vegas has always been missing something, a common thread that would weave our communities together. Earlier this year, the NHL introduced the Las Vegas Golden Knights, making them our first official professional sports team. But now with the Raiders headed our way, maybe people will actually start to take our city seriously.
There’s no denying that a sports team unites a city and cultivates a strong sense of community. The Raiders will give us something that we can all stand on, something that will bring our city closer together.
Not only is this going to help strengthen our city pride, but the effect this will have on our economy is another big reason to celebrate. Vegas lives off of tourism, and when we get the Raiders, we get the whole Raider Nation, which means a flock of visitors coming our way. This will boost our economy and help locals keep their jobs.
With both my dad and brother working in casinos on the strip, this is definitely something for me to smile about. With a new stadium in the near future, Vegas residents are also looking forward to new jobs.
Members of the laborers’ union stood in front of the famous “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” sign after the announcement, holding posters that showed their excitement as they are looking forward to more job opportunities and substantial economic growth.
Derek Carr, the quarterback of the Raiders, tweeted an emotional response to his fans in wake of the move. “I don’t know how we should feel. I feel the pain of our fans in Oakland. I also see the joy on the faces of our new fans in Las Vegas.”
One fan, @kaiasirena, tweeted, “I’m ride or die ‘til the end”, while another fan, @mpottsnyc, jumped on the bandwagon of Vegas stereotypes and responded, “the only thing Raiders are getting in LV is personal issues, hangovers and TMZ reports.”
Carr concluded his tweet, extending support and hope to his fans, new and old. “Las Vegas, you can count on us bringing a piece of Oakland with us and you are getting a tough, loyal and competitive fan base and team.”
So, to the die-hard Raiders fans, know that you did not lose your team completely. The Raider Nation is now bigger than ever, and every game in Vegas is going to be a full house.