The move from Oakland for the Las Vegas Raiders was supposed to be a financial boon, with 2020 set to serve as the inaugural season in which rabid Vegas fans could pack into Allegiant Stadium for the first time as the state had its first taste of NFL action.
But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, any Raiders games that happen at the stadium will do so without fans in attendance:
“We have made the difficult decision to play the Las Vegas Raiders 2020 inaugural season at Allegiant Stadium without fans in attendance,” read a statement from owner Mark Davis, who alerted season-ticket holders of the decision Monday.
There had initially been concerns about the building of Allegiant Stadium and getting operations up to speed in time for the team’s arrival, but any difficulties were overcome, and the team is in line to play its first game in Vegas on Sept. 21 when they host the New Orleans Saints for Monday Night Football.
Whether or not the Raiders’ decision forces an impetus on other owners to announce similar measures remains to be seen. There are many hurdles in the way facing the return of fans to sporting venues, including the determination of which fans would be let into the stadium, something that Davis specifically mentioned as a bugaboo in his statement.
While the Raiders remain on track to appear on the gridiron in Las Vegas in just under two months, the first fans through the gates will be tabled for at least the next year.
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