A RAIDERS FAN's take on Vegas move

[RaiderMike]

I know everyone wants to be the first to start a thread about this, but I am a die-hard Raiders fan for 30 years. I should get a chance to say my peace here instead of on Facebook to a bunch of people who are trying to get me to convert to their team.

Ok, I started out as an L.A. Raiders fan, became an Oakland Raiders fan and I most certainly will be a Las Vegas Raiders fan.

So, we're going to Vegas. Yes, I have crazy mixed emotions right now. I go to the training camps every year. I have become friends with some pretty high up brass and former players on a texting weekly, facebook and BBQ term. I love this team, I have studied it and forever wanted to know the in's and outs. I have worked security about 10 times for O.co and nothing is like being a Raiders fan.

But I am really bummed over this, that's something that I won't admit on Facebook. I am really hurt over this. It's not enough to make me lose my loyalty, or even close. But the fact that Oakland is losing this team for a SECOND time really hurts. I wasn't there for the first one, and wasn't old enough to realize what was happening when they moved back to Oakland when I was 14... I realized what was happening, but never went to L.A. games anyway. I worry about the gambling stuff, I worry about the fact that Vegas is the big leagues when it comes to business men and Mark Davis is not even close to the #@#@#@#@ on their shoes when it comes to business. I am worried he will be pushed out within 5 years of moving there and through some sort of loophole will be forced to sell the team to a business group somehow, they will outsmart him.

I am worried about losing Derek Carr because he wants to be an OAKLAND Raider. I am worried that in losing him, we lose everybody and suck again for a VERY long time.

On the flip side: We get a 1.9 BILLION dollar stadium, top of the league. We will have money every year and money means trophy's.

I am really torn right now about how I feel, but I have to admit, my loyalty is there more than ever, for sure. And how cool would it be if The Raiders brought a trophy home before they left. It's a real possibility.

[LosBlancos]

I'm bummed too. I'm heading to the Tenderloin right now and hopefully in an hour or so I'll forget the Raiders are even moving.

I can't stand the suit and tie atmosphere at most NFL games. In the Bay we kept it real. Soon it will all be gone.

[silverandblack]

I know everyone wants to be the first to start a thread about this, but I am a die-hard Raiders fan for 30 years. I should get a chance to say my peace here instead of on Facebook to a bunch of people who are trying to get me to convert to their team.

Ok, I started out as an L.A. Raiders fan, became an Oakland Raiders fan and I most certainly will be a Las Vegas Raiders fan.

So, we're going to Vegas. Yes, I have crazy mixed emotions right now. I go to the training camps every year. I have become friends with some pretty high up brass and former players on a texting weekly, facebook and BBQ term. I love this team, I have studied it and forever wanted to know the in's and outs. I have worked security about 10 times for O.co and nothing is like being a Raiders fan.

But I am really bummed over this, that's something that I won't admit on Facebook. I am really hurt over this. It's not enough to make me lose my loyalty, or even close. But the fact that Oakland is losing this team for a SECOND time really hurts. I wasn't there for the first one, and wasn't old enough to realize what was happening when they moved back to Vegas when I was 14... I realized what was happening, but never went to L.A. games anyway. I worry about the gambling stuff, I worry about the fact that Vegas is the big leagues when it comes to business men and Mark Davis is not even close to the #@#@#@#@ on their shoes when it comes to Vegas. I am worried he will be pushed out within 5 years of moving there and through some sort of loophole will be forced to sell the team to a business group somehow, they will outsmart him.

I am worried about losing Derek Carr because he wants to be an OAKLAND Raider. I am worried that in losing him, we lose everybody and suck again for a VERY long time.

On the flip side: We get a 1.9 BILLION dollar stadium, top of the league. We will have money every year and money means trophy's.

I am really torn right now about how I feel, but I have to admit, my loyalty is there more than ever, for sure. And how cool would it be if The Raiders brought a trophy home before they left. It's a real possibility.


While i live in NY im there with you brother. Ive flown out for games many times and we have the most loyal fan base there is.

Sad day for the fans but the city of Oakland did nothing and I mean zero to stop this. They could have done something many years ago when Al tried to get a new stadium.

I hope for a Super Bowl win before they leave mainly for the fans in Oakland .

[RaiderMike]

While i live in NY im there with you brother. Ive flown out for games many times and we have the most loyal fan base there is.

Sad day for the fans but the city of Oakland did nothing and I mean zero to stop this. They could have done something many years ago when Al tried to get a new stadium.

I hope for a Super Bowl win before they leave mainly for the fans in Oakland .

Oakland did something all-right. They raised the rent 3X after The Raiders bid to L.A. last season was ignored.

[oplum29]

the NFL I grew up on is VERY different than from the one i'm currently living in, it's crazy.

I think the Jags are next to move, probably San Antonio or something like that.

NFL Owners are horrible...Bob Kraft excluded :)

[socal805]

Like yourself I started out as an L.A. Raiders fan, became an Oakland Raiders fan and I most will be a Las Vegas Raiders fan.

But I have a different take...I might be wrong...but this is how I feel about this subject.

I see the RAIDERS as Family/Friends. I would hate for my best friend to move away. Yet if it's to better their life, I can't be selfish and tell them to stay. If I did, I wouldn't be a true friend. Now a true member of the RaiderNation should want whats best for the Raiders...not what's best for himself or what's best for the City of Oakland. Simply what's best for the RAIDERS. Our loyalty should lie with the RaiderNation and not NameOfCityNation.

Now my view would be different if the Raiders just moved without giving Oakland a chance to keep them. It would have been wrong if both cities gave a similar pitch to the Raiders and Mark Davis simply chose Vegas over Oakland.

Yet none of that occurred...the city of Oakland has known for years that something like this could occur, Yet they did nothing. I compare this to a girlfriend who's been doing you wrong. She's made promises, yet fails to keep them. You made it known your unhappy and what needs to change. Yet year after year no changes take place. One day you meet another girl who's the complete opposite. She treats you the way you deserve to be treated. You can stay with the current GF, if anything just because you're use to her. Or you can make the change and finally receive what you deserve. Do you know what usually happens in these scenarios? At 1st your heart broken, yet with time you'll ask yourself why did you ever put up with her nonsense.

The RAIDERS deserve a new stadium...The City of Oakland had every chance to keep the Raiders. Yet they turned around and walked away. And now it's too late to apologize.

[56LightsOut56]

You don't have to be loyal to the soil to root for a team and as long as the locker room is strong Vegas should not be too much of a distraction.
On a side note are you the RaiderMike that calls into Carmichael Dave show? Didn't see you at the Crown show last week hit me up next time you are down at Teammates and I'll cruise down there anyways the only issue as far as Vegas is concerned is the Rookies seeing the bright lights for maybe the first time ever but like I said a strong locker room will take care of that.

[packman80]

Listing to radio today seems like this could be better for lot of Raider fans. Shorter drive to Vegas from LA then it was to Oakland. Also a lot cheaper for other fans to fly into Vegas then to Oakland. So this could make it eaiser for a lot of fans not from Oakland to see games in person.

[socal805]

Listing to radio today seems like this could be better for lot of Raider fans. Shorter drive to Vegas from LA then it was to Oakland. Also a lot cheaper for other fans to fly into Vegas then to Oakland. So this could make it eaiser for a lot of fans not from Oakland to see games in person.
The bottom line is moving to Vegas is what's best for the RAIDERS. They come before my personal preference and before any city.

Sent from my N9519 using Tapatalk

[silverandblack]

Like yourself I started out as an L.A. Raiders fan, became an Oakland Raiders fan and I most will be a Las Vegas Raiders fan.

But I have a different take...I might be wrong...but this is how I feel about this subject.

I see the RAIDERS as Family/Friends. I would hate for my best friend to move away. Yet if it's to better their life, I can't be selfish and tell them to stay. If I did, I wouldn't be a true friend. Now a true member of the RaiderNation should want whats best for the Raiders...not what's best for himself or what's best for the City of Oakland. Simply what's best for the RAIDERS. Our loyalty should lie with the RaiderNation and not NameOfCityNation.

Now my view would be different if the Raiders just moved without giving Oakland a chance to keep them. It would have been wrong if both cities gave a similar pitch to the Raiders and Mark Davis simply chose Vegas over Oakland.

Yet none of that occurred...the city of Oakland has known for years that something like this could occur, Yet they did nothing. I compare this to a girlfriend who's been doing you wrong. She's made promises, yet fails to keep them. You made it known your unhappy and what needs to change. Yet year after year no changes take place. One day you meet another girl who's the complete opposite. She treats you the way you deserve to be treated. You can stay with the current GF, if anything just because you're use to her. Or you can make the change and finally receive what you deserve. Do you know what usually happens in these scenarios? At 1st your heart broken, yet with time you'll ask yourself why did you ever put up with her nonsense.

The RAIDERS deserve a new stadium...The City of Oakland had every chance to keep the Raiders. Yet they turned around and walked away. And now it's too late to apologize.

Couldnt agree more.

The Davis's both Al and Mark tried for a long time to work with the city with no effort from city officials so what is Mark supposed to do. He knows they have the best fans in the world and Im sure this was a hard decision but when it comes down to it this is what is best for the franchise and had Oakland made any real effort not this last minute crap I bet they would have stayed

[RaiderMike]

You don't have to be loyal to the soil to root for a team and as long as the locker room is strong Vegas should not be too much of a distraction.
On a side note are you the RaiderMike that calls into Carmichael Dave show? Didn't see you at the Crown show last week hit me up next time you are down at Teammates and I'll cruise down there anyways the only issue as far as Vegas is concerned is the Rookies seeing the bright lights for maybe the first time ever but like I said a strong locker room will take care of that.

I was at the Crown show till about 12. And I never have called into a radio show other than the Grant Napear show and I don't use RaiderMike as my name... Just Mike, but I called in only twice before 2016 season started. I should be at the shop next week sometime or on Saturday. Not sure.

[RaiderMike]

Couldnt agree more.

The Davis's both Al and Mark tried for a long time to work with the city with no effort from city officials so what is Mark supposed to do. He knows they have the best fans in the world and Im sure this was a hard decision but when it comes down to it this is what is best for the franchise and had Oakland made any real effort not this last minute crap I bet they would have stayed

This is my point... well said.

I understand the fact that fans are mad right now, and they have every right to be. They are just mad at the wrong people. It's not like Mark Davis (or even Al) didn't try. Oakland the city, didn't try.

I can't look and see what I posted here, so I may be repeating myself in saying this because I have been talking about it ALL-DAY. But Oakland raised the rent 3X after The Raiders got declined to move to L.A. Now tell me that isn't a fricked up message and a middle finger.

[Seahawks fan]

Be thankful they are still the Raiders and not in a situation where they change the name of the team like when the Browns turned into the Ravens.

I have no dog in this fight but will be interested to see if pro sports can flourish in vegas with all of the temptations of gambling/fixing games and players possibly gambling away salary and being caught with escorts.

[KevJo]

I wanted them to stay in California. Shame they were unable to do that, hope it works out!

Kevin

[silverandblack]

This is my point... well said.

I understand the fact that fans are mad right now, and they have every right to be. They are just mad at the wrong people. It's not like Mark Davis (or even Al) didn't try. Oakland the city, didn't try.

I can't look and see what I posted here, so I may be repeating myself in saying this because I have been talking about it ALL-DAY. But Oakland raised the rent 3X after The Raiders got declined to move to L.A. Now tell me that isn't a fricked up message and a middle finger.


The worst part is the idiot mayor is putting all the blame on Mark even though she had said we will offer zero public dollars and raised the rent on that dump of a stadium.

I do wish they put the vote off to check into this new 1.3 billion dollar plan from the Lott group to stay in Oakland but the NFL doesn't mess around and if it was any sort of serious plan i think they would have done that

[RaiderMike]

Be thankful they are still the Raiders and not in a situation where they change the name of the team like when the Browns turned into the Ravens.

I have no dog in this fight but will be interested to see if pro sports can flourish in vegas with all of the temptations of gambling/fixing games and players possibly gambling away salary and being caught with escorts.

Well, let's hope everything stays on the up and up. But, this looks to be at the very LEAST a 30 year journey. Something somewhere is gonna go wrong.

[Brafcauknid]

I grew up and became a fan of the Raiders in the 80's when they were in LA and stuck with them when they went back to Oakland, I live in western Colorado so my fandom was never about location. I do go to Vegas a lot and am excited that I will now get to see the Raiders more then their 1 game a year in Denver.

Sorry for the Oakland fans, but as others said, this has been a loooooooong time coming and the Oakland politicians have done nothing about keeping the Raiders until it was too late.

[hawkfandan]

As a Raider fan living in Chicago who visits Vegas a few times a year, I couldn't be happier about the move.

I too am sorry for the OG fans in Oakland and am hoping they don't bail, or worse yet become 9'er fans (shudders).

[LosBlancos]

Raiders to Get a Sports-Themed Brothel In Las Vegas - Breitbart (http://www.breitbart.com/sports/2017/03/29/raiders-get-sports-themed-brothel-las-vegas/)

This makes it a bit easier to swallow the move.

[altaeria]

At what point does a team not even warrant a city affiliation?

the Wells Fargo Raiders vs. the Home Depot Rams