Today in an interview with USA Today, Patriots owner Robert Kraft added his voice to the list of those who support the Raiders' potentially moving to Las Vegas.
Robert Kraft tells @JarrettBell he would support @RAIDERS move to Vegas if they can't get stadium deal in Bay Area. https://t.co/RUYvmg3G90
— USA TODAY Sports NFL (@usatoday_nfl) May 20, 2016
The article in question is a really good one and I'd suggest you all read it, but here are the pertinent bits of information:
"I think it would be good for the NFL," Kraft told USA TODAY Sports. "I know Mark Davis has tried so hard in Oakland. If they won’t do it … I want to support him."
That's a pretty big statement for such an influential and important owner in the NFL, when the perception is that Mark Davis isn't well-liked around the league. Kraft would seem to imply otherwise, at least in his case.
"I came into the league in ’94," said Kraft. "Back then, any exploration of that market was dismissed out of hand. I’m looking where we are today and thinking of the last 10 to 15 years, and the emergence of new media, with Google and Facebook and the like. We’re just living in a different world, technology wise. The risks in Vegas are no longer exclusive to Vegas."
This is another fascinating statement from Kraft, as many NFL owners are very old-school and don't really understand the dramatic way the world has changed in the last decade. He clearly understands how technology has affected the gambling industry, which is even more connected with the NFL since the advent of daily fantasy sites such as DraftKings and Fanduel which have business relationships with the NFL and all other major sports leagues.
And finally, Kraft echoes a sentiment I've been expressing personally for some time:
"Whatever the risks," Kraft added, "they are no greater (in Las Vegas) than playing a game in New Jersey."
Thank you for this, Robert Kraft. At last, somebody actually gets it. Kraft is clearly on the side of the Raiders here, but unlike Jerry Jones, Kraft doesn't have the ulterior motive of keeping the Raiders out of San Antonio. There's no upside for Kraft to side with Mark Davis on this except to do what's in the best interest of the Raiders.
This is an important development in Davis' fight to move the team. Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft are two of the most prominent and trendsetting owners in the NFL and with them in Mark Davis' corner it will be difficult for any owners who want to go against the Raiders' potential move to gather enough support to stop it.
The ball is in Oakland's court as far as working out a deal with the Raiders for a new stadium, but if Oakland continues to drag its feet it looks like there won't be any major opposition to the team moving to Sin City.
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