Mark Davis continues to demonstrate that the Raiders’ decision to relocate to Las Vegas was well worth it given all of his needs.

In 2017, the Oakland Raiders announced their relocation to Las Vegas, Nevada, marking the end of their long tenure in Oakland, California. The move was approved by NFL owners after the team failed to secure a deal for a new stadium in Oakland. As a result, the Raiders constructed Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, a $1.9 billion project that included $750 million in public funding.

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For Las Vegas, the arrival of an NFL team boosted the local economy and sports culture. However, for Oakland fans, the move was heartbreaking, as the Raiders had been a core part of the community since 1960. The relocation sparked debates over fan loyalty, the economic effects on cities losing teams, and the ethics of using public funds for stadiums. Oakland, once a passionate sports city with both the Raiders and Athletics, lost both teams, leaving many fans feeling abandoned.

Allegiant Stadium is the top stadium in the United States and the #2 stadium globally for live events, according to Billboard Magazine’s 2024 year-end report. It drew 657,000 fans and $119 million in ticket sales across 15 major events last year. – Las Vegas Locally on Twitter/X

Allegiant Stadium is the top stadium in the United States and the #2 stadium globally for live events, according to Billboard Magazine's 2024 year-end report.

It drew 657,000 fans and $119 million in ticket sales across 15 major events last year. pic.twitter.com/0SwSEUpwZt

— Las Vegas Locally 🌴 (@LasVegasLocally) January 13, 2025

Despite the emotional impact on Oakland, team owner Mark Davis focused on the long-term financial benefits. His father, Al Davis, had predicted such a move, and financially, it has proven successful. However, one drawback is that the Raiders often struggle to draw more home fans than visiting fans at Allegiant Stadium. In a tourist-heavy city like Las Vegas, this will likely remain a challenge unless the team becomes consistently competitive.

Ultimately, while the move hurt Oakland’s fan base, Davis has demonstrated that it was the right decision for the franchise’s financial future.