If you’ve seen the Las Vegas Raiders’ imposing new arena, Allegiant Stadium, and thought that it resembled a weapon and battle station from cinema’s most famous space opera, then you’re not alone.
Raiders owner Mark Davis himself revealed that Allegiant Stadium has been nicknamed the Death Star in a speech introducing the arena. And despite what Star Wars fans have pointed about the Death Star’s flawed structure and tendency to be defeated by smaller opponents in the films, Raiders head coach Jon Gruden doesn’t care and plans on sticking with that nickname, according to Adam Hill of the Las Vegas Review Journal.
“I think it’s a cool name for our stadium. I don’t give a damn about Star Wars. That’s what we’re calling our stadium and I don’t care what anybody else thinks. It’s a cool stadium, it’s a great name and we just have to play good when we’re in there.”
The Raiders are set to make their debut at the $1.9 billion, 65,000-seat, and domed Allegiant Stadium on Monday Night Football when they face the New Orleans Saints. Incidentally, the game against the Saints also marks the 50th anniversary of the NFL’s first Monday Night Football broadcast. Fans, however, will have to wait a little longer before they can enter the state of the art facility, as the games at Allegiant Stadium will be held without fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Las Vegas looks to build on its 34-30 win over the Carolina Panthers in its first game of the 2020 season last week. In Gruden's third year in charge, the Raiders are looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
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