With the shiny silver and black new stadium sprouting up out of the desert, fans and observers have begun calling the $1.8 billion Allegiant Stadium by some creative and catchy nicknames. But which one fits best?
While Raider Nation awaits the christening of its new field as a football venue, the always passionate and creative bunch is already calling the Las Vegas Raiders Allegiant Stadium nicknames that make a nation proud.
With its unique design and shiny black glass exterior, the structure itself is exactly what you’d picture in your mind’s eye as the home of the rollicking marauders known as the Raiders.
It’s the design and brooding presence on the Las Vegas skyline that has resulted in a few Allegiant Stadium nicknames which have seemed to stick over the past several months. We look at each one and get your comments as to why you like them and why, or why not, they may last the test of time.
The Death Star
Ok, so a bit self-serving but we had a T-shirt calling Allegiant Stadium this name going back to last summer. Fans overall seem to prefer this name and use it the most, based on our research of mentions throughout three social media platforms.
This Allegiant Stadium nickname not only perpetuates the mean, nasty and rough side of the Raiders brand and image, but the stadium actually looks like it could be in a Star Wars movie. It’s black glass exterior, coupled with hints of industrial gray and silver, making it easy to imagine Darth Vader parading around its concourse in search of some Kansas City Chiefs Rebel scum.
Darth Raider, a fan dressed in a Vader costume, has been part of Raider Nation for a while now so it fits. The outlaw, maverick, role so well built by Al Davis shines through on this one.
“I can’t think of a better nickname of the home of my Raiders,” said Renoldo Reyes, who stopped by the stadium to grab a picture on his way home to Oxnard. “I mean, look at it, man. I can see Vader and Stormtroopers marching right out of there.”
Why it Doesn’t Work: As cool and apropos as “The Death Star” is, it will be: trademark law issue. Not only that, when that trademark is owned by Disney, you can bet any sort of merchandise or use of the name is going to run into some heavy resistance. That doesn’t mean fans, broadcasters, or players can’t use it verbally, but the folks at the helm of Lucas Film may notice it quickly and squash it before it reaches its “fully operational” status. Oh, and one more thing: The Death Star was destroyed.
The AL
The beauty of this Allegiant Stadium nickname, for the Raiders and their fans, is it sort of can make everyone happy. Sure, it’s not as ominous or doesn’t paint a mental picture of the Galactic Empire, but what it does do is honor the man who started it all – Al Davis – plus it gives another nod at the company the stadium is named after.
One of the key landmarks within the stadium is the Al Davis Memorial Torch. The torch, the world’s largest 3D-printed object, will be situated at the north end right in front of the lanai doors which open to reveal a stunning view of the famous Las Vegas Strip.
The Stadium will also be located at 3333 Al Davis Way, another nod to the man who created the mystique that is the Raiders.
“Al Davis is the reason the Raiders exist so that would be cool,” said Noah Reed from Agoura Hills, Calif. Reed also stopped by to grab pictures of the stadium and says he’ll be back. “I never really had a favorite team growing up but now the Raiders here in Las Vegas, and this stadium, I’m on board. The AL would be a cool name. I’m going to start using it.”
Of course, this nickname also benefits the company that paid a ton of cash (the amount is undisclosed) for the formal naming rights – Allegiant Airlines. The Las Vegas-based commercial airline would undoubtedly be OK with “The AL” nickname as it too could play off it.
Why it Doesn’t Work: While honoring Al Davis is always the right thing to do, and pleasing your naming rights partner is a good idea, it’s just not as intimidating as other names. Still, we tend to like it.
The Black Pearl
What is it about Raider Nation and wanting so badly to infringe on Disney rights? Whether or not it owns the trademark to the name The Black Pearl (we didn’t check, we got lazy), some fans use this Allegiant Stadium nickname in reference to the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.
You have to give the “pearlites” some credit here. When you look at this beautiful stadium sprouting up from the barren desert floor, it does resemble a precious stone or jewel.
Also, you can see an intoxicated Captain Jack Sparrow (made famous by actor Johnny Depp) walking its decks and calling out to Raiders fans. After all, he was a pirate.
It’s that double-meaning that makes this one very interesting. While the pirate them fits, does a mean and rough football team want to call out its opponent while screaming: “We’ll meet you at The Black Pearl?”
We agree.
Why it Doesn’t Work: That Disney thing again. It’s not a small item to overlook. We actually like this one due to the double meaning but just don’t think Raider Nation will adopt it in masse.
Other Nicknames
We asked you via a Twitter poll for other names and here are some of your responses: