It could just be due diligence on their part, but the Oakland Raiders are doing nothing to quiet rumors that Las Vegas is a potential home for the team.
According to Darren Heitner of Forbes, the team has reportedly filed for the “Los Angeles Raiders” trademark.
It’s a major step for a team that has long flirted with the idea of moving to the desert metropolis. Over the course of the past year, the Raiders’ brass has met with Las Vegas officials many times.
The potential for relocation also hasn’t come without a ton of support from the political power players in Sin City as well as some pretty influential NFL owners.
One of the overriding questions here is whether the league would support a team relocation to the gambling mecca of the United States. We’ve seen how the NFL has attempted to separate itself from even daily fantasy sports. That should be a sign of a potential rift between the team and the league.
Though, there seems to be enough support in the NFL for a potential Raiders relocation to Las Vegas — a relocation that could very well be in the cards should funding for a new stadium be approved.
If this latest revelation is any indication, the Raiders are dead serious about the idea of moving to Las Vegas. Their lease with the Oakland Coliseum runs year-to-year, meaning they could potentially up and relocate by next season.
Los Angeles also remains an option should the San Diego Chargers decide to remain in their current host city.