Raiders nearing first season-ticket sellout in franchise history

Raiders owner Mark Davis says the team is nearing its first season-ticket sellout in franchise history.

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The Oakland Raiders are nearing their first season-ticket sellout in franchise history, owner Mark Davis said on Sunday, according to ESPN.

“We’re excited as hell,” Davis said. “Again, we’ve got the greatest fans in the world. The Raider Nation is strong.”

The number of season-ticket holders has grown from 42,200 in 2015 to just under 50,000 for 2016 for a stadium with a capacity of 53,250.

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The Raiders will remain in Oakland after the Rams won the bid to relocate to Los Angeles. The Raiders have the option to share the Rams’ L.A. stadium if the Chargers decline, but momentum is reportedly growing toward a Raiders move to Las Vegas.

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Davis has discussed a move to Nevada with Las Vegas Sands casinos CEO Sheldon Adelson, who has proposed building a $1 billion stadium in the city. Davis is also reportedly planning on attending a Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee meeting on Thursday, according to ESPN.

The Raiders are looking to move out of Oakland after their lease at O.co Coliseum was made significantly more expensive. In March the team signed a one-year agreement to stay at O.co, but the price of the lease was raised from $925,000 to $3.5 million.