The Oakland Raiders are itching to move to Las Vegas. The San Diego Chargers appear destined to move to Los Angeles. But if it were up to NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, both teams would stay right where they’re at for the foreseeable future.
Goodell was on hand Thursday for the Rams’ groundbreaking ceremony in Inglewood, Calif. when he addressed the next potential big moves by NFL teams.
“If we get our issues resolved in San Diego, and our issues resolved in Oakland, I think that’s the ideal solution, frankly,” Goodell said, per ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez. “I think that’s what we would all like to see happen. But there’s a lot that has to get done in those two communities to get there.”
The Chargers saw a ballot measure to raise money to fund a new $1.8 million stadium in San Diego fail miserably. To pass, it required two-thirds approval but only received 43 percent during the general election.
Talks regarding any stadium deal in San Diego have been temporarily shelved until after the season, but it’s hard to imagine anything positive will happen, given the fact nothing positive has happened on this front in recent years.
Goodell seems to understand that his desired outcome may not be in the cards, especially as it relates to Oakland and the Raiders.
“We’d love to get something done in Oakland, but if they do file a relocation, we’ll evaluate that and make sure that we look at it as far as the market issues is concerned,” Goodell said.
Oakland already appears to have a foot out the door, with owner Mark Davis doing everything to this point but actually pack boxes. Funding for a brand new stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada has already been approved at all necessary levels.
At this point, the Raiders just need to officially apply for relocation and convince the rest of the league that Sheldon Adelson, chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corporation, won’t make waves when it comes to revenue sharing.