The Oakland Raiders appear to be on the brink of moving to Nevada.
At least, that's what Las Vegas mayor Carolyn Goodman would have you believe. In an ESPN radio interview Tuesday morning, Goodman said the Raiders "will come if Nevada handles this properly." She later added this assurance: "I know (Vegas) will have a team."
Is the mayor being overly confident? Let's look at the facts. Raiders owner Mark Davis has already pledged $500 million toward the construction of a $1.4 billion, 65,000-seat stadium in the desert. The Sands and partnering business Majestic Realty have pledged $150 million, leaving tourist taxes to cover the remaining $750 million needed.
That last one is the kicker, as the Nevada Legislature would have to approve diverting a good chunk of those funds. But Goodman claims she is "getting calls from outside the region offering to help with funding."