Sports

Las Vegas Raiders Clear Hurdle As Stadium Lease Approved

It was a major victory that just a week looked like it might not happen - at least on time to keep the schedule on track.

It was just a week ago that it looked there might be a major problem standing in the way of the Oakland Raiders become the Las Vegas Raiders on schedule. If the lease wasn't approved - and there were doubts that they would get it done on time - the team's move would have to be pushed back a year.

On Thursday, those concerns were washed away.

The Las Vegas Stadium Authority's board unanimously approved the lease on their planned $1.9 billion new home.

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The deadline was because the NFL still needs to approve the lease and the Raiders wanted it to be in place for the league's spring meeting. The meeting starts Monday in Chicago.

The lease runs for 30 years and will keep the team in Vegas at least through the 2049 season. When the lease runs out the team will have the option to sign a five year extension four times, which would add 20 years to their stay in Vegas.

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The team has never stayed in one city for 30 years let alone 50.

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The lease does forbid the stadium from being used for gaming or gambling - so no betting at the stadium. Also, there can't be any Raiders themed brothels at the stadium.

That means Bunny Ranch owner Dennis Hof won't have any competition for his planned brothel.

Image via MANICA Architecture

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