Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world, and with its bright lights and nightlife, gambling included, the city acts as America’s playground.
But the city is also the new home of the Raiders. Led by coach Jon Gruden, they’ll have little time to spend on the infamous Las Vegas Strip to party like tourists. Not if they want to win the Super Bowl, anyway.
During an interview with NFL Media, Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby acknowledged his new situation, and he embraced it. Upon being asked how many of his friends are planning road trips to Las Vegas for Raiders games, Crosby confirmed the buzz surrounding the franchise’s move.
“Everbody. Everyone’s super excited, you know. I’ve had a lot of text messages and calls saying ‘I’ll be there, you just gotta let me know.’ You’ve got to get away from the distractions from all that, but it’s gonna be something else. I’m so excited for this whole experience.”
Crosby knows the Raiders could potentially be distracted, but they’ll get used to living there in time, at least for the most part. So what about road teams? According to NFL Media, the Vegas Knights, the local NHL team, won 29 of its 41 home games its first year in Las Vegas. Could the Raiders have similar home success in 2020?
Once again, people are talking. Crosby said he’s heard America’s playground could become a hometown advantage for the Raiders.
“People are like, ‘It’s going to be an extra challenge for teams that come in on Friday nights and try and stay away from The Strip.’ If they can’t handle their business, more power to us.”
On the way to rebuilding the franchise into a winning one, the Raiders will gladly take any advantage, especially in their first year, which will set the tone for their new high-profile home.
As one of the world’s gambling and partying epicenters, it once seemed unfathomable that the NFL would allow one of its teams to move to Las Vegas. The league has kept its distance from sports gaming to ensure its contests are independent of possible outside influence or harmed by players or officials gambling on games.
But sports in the United States are slowly gravitating toward a more agreeable relationship with the Las Vegas scene, led by the immense popularity of fantasy football.
That, combined with a new stadium partially funded by taxpayer dollars, helped the Raiders land in the entertainment capital of the world. Now, the NFL community gets to watch the previously unthinkable unfold. As Crosby said, it’s going to be something else, and it may give the Raiders an edge.