Oakland

Oakland Raiders Owner Mark Davis Doesn’t Have $500 Million For Las Vegas NFL Stadium

Published

9 years ago

October 16, 2016

On Monday, October 17th, Oakland Raiders Owner Mark Davis will stand with Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval, perhaps Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson, and other local elected officials (The Mayor of Las Vegas Carolyn Goodman has not put out an official statement about the Nevada Legislature signing the bill that would presumably provide the $750 million bond subsidy for an NFL Stadium), the media will write that ‘the Raiders are putting $500 million into the deal’.Watch. Well, the Raiders don’t have $500 million – or even $400 milion – to put into any deal in Las Vegas.

In 2014, at the NFL Owners Spring League Meeting held in Atlanta, and in Buckhead, Oakland Raiders Owners Mark Davis and I started talking about a stadium in Oakland.

It was my first lengthly conversation about anything with Mr. Davis, and so I was excited to have the chance, even after Oakland Raiders Team President Marc Badain was unusually defensive about me doing so, until I reminded him that as a fellow Oaklander with a long history that almost brought them the Super Bowl, we’re all like family. Badain then relaxed and we all had a cool talk.

I assumed Mark Davis knew the architect of the original Raiders Bond Deal that upgraded the Coliseum and even provided for a new headquarters for the team in Alameda, California, Oakland Assistant City Manager Ezra Rapport.

“No, I don’t know who that is,” Davis said. In fact, as we progressed in our conversation, I realized Mark didn’t know anything about the history of the Raiders with respect to relocation or the Oakland stadium situation at the time. But when it came to present day matters, Davis shifted his attitude gears and said “I know I have $400 million for a stadium in Oakland.”

After we finished our talk, I went over to the press conference room and made this video blog to report the news (beating the NFL Network in the process):

And then broke down what the $400 million would consist of:

$200 million in the total amount in amortized stadium revenue from club seats and luxury suites he is willing to part with over a period of years – generally about 15 years to 30 years.
$200 million in NFL G3 (now G4) loan money.

Oakland Raiders Mark Davis Doesn’t Have $500 Million For Las Vegas Stadium

So that, obviously is not money that comes from the Raiders own revenue reserves, and not those of, say, Michaan’s Auctions in Alameda. What’s interesting is, the very next year, that amount jumped from $400 million to $500 million. It wasn’t due to anything other than Mark Davis deciding he was going to add an extra $100 million into the number spiel he was reciting to the media.

So, it was $500 million for San Antonio. And then it was $500 million for Carson. And now it’s $500 million for Las Vegas.

In point of fact, what the Raiders have is nothing, and especially in the Las Vegas case. Zero. And this is so not only because they don’t have a stadium under construction, but they don’t have one even approved. And in the Las Vegas case, the NFL Constitution (and this is noted in several areas of the document) specifically prohibits use of the loan for a project that “involve(s) any relocation of or change in an affected club’s ‘home territory.”

The Raiders “home territory” is Oakland, so from the perspective of the NFL Constitution, Davis can’t even correctly and officially say that the G4 loan money is available to him for the purpose of any Las Vegas Stadium Projects – but it’s certainly there if he works to build a stadium in Oakland.

But in either case, Mark Davis doesn’t have the money – he’s (to use an expression appropriate for Las Vegas) betting on the come.

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Oakland Post: Week of April 1 – 7, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 1 – 7, 2026

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April 6, 2026

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March 22, 2026

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Financial Wellness and Mental Health: Managing Money Stress in College 

While everyone’s financial situation is unique, several common sources of stress have the potential to strain your financial health. These include financial and economic uncertainty, existing debts, unexpected expenses, and mental or physical health changes. Financial stress may differ from situation to situation, but understanding the factors contributing to yours may help you begin to craft a plan for your unique circumstances.

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3 weeks ago

March 17, 2026

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As a college student, managing financial responsibilities can be stressful.

If you’ve found yourself staying up late thinking about your finances or just feeling anxious overall about your financial future, you’re not alone. In one survey, 78% of college students who reported financial stress had negative impacts on their mental health, and 59% considered dropping out. While finances can impact overall stress, taking steps to manage your finances can support your mental, emotional and physical well-being.

When it comes to money, the sources of stress may look different for each student, but identifying the underlying causes and setting goals accordingly may help you feel more confident about your financial future.

Consider these strategies to help improve your financial wellness and reduce stress.

Understand what causes financial stress

2. Determine your financial priorities

Start by reflecting on your financial priorities. For students this often includes paying for school or paying off student loans, studying abroad, saving for spring break, building an emergency fund, paying down credit card debt or buying a car. Name the milestones that are most important to you, and plan accordingly.

3. Create a plan and stick to it

While setting actionable goals starts you on the journey to better financial health, it’s essential to craft a plan to follow through. Identifying and committing to a savings plan may give you a greater sense of control over your finances, which may help reduce your stress. Creating and sticking to a budget allows you to better track where your money is going so you may spend less and save more.

4. Pay down debt

Many students have some form of debt and want to make progress toward reducing their debt obligations. One option is the debt avalanche method, which focuses on paying off your debt with the highest interest rate first, then moving on to the debt with the next-highest interest rate. Another is the debt snowball method, which builds momentum by paying off your smallest debt balance, and then working your way up to the largest amounts.

5. Build your financial resilience

Some financial stress may be inevitable, but building financial resilience may allow you to overcome obstacles more easily. The more you learn about managing your money, for instance, the more prepared you’ll feel if the unexpected happens. Growing your emergency savings also may increase resilience since you’ll be more financially prepared to cover unexpected expenses or pay your living expenses.

6. Seek help and support

Many colleges have resources to help students experiencing financial stress, like financial literacy courses or funds that provide some assistance for students in need. Talk to your admissions counselor or advisor about your concerns, and they can direct you to sources of support. Your school’s counseling center can also be a great resource for mental health assistance if you’re struggling with financial stress.

The bottom line

Financial stress can affect college students’ health and wellbeing, but it doesn’t have to derail your dreams. Setting smart financial goals and developing simple plans to achieve them may help ease your stress. Revisit and adjust your plan as needed to ensure it continues to work for you, and seek additional support on campus as needed to help keep you on track.

 JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC