Roger Goodell calls talk of Raiders moving to Las Vegas ‘premature’

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called the talks of the Oakland Raiders relocating to Las Vegas “premature” at the NFL owners meetings on Tuesday.

Get breaking news and SI’s biggest stories instantly. Download the new Sports Illustrated app (iOS or Android) and personalize your experience by following your favorite teams and SI writers.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell called talks of the Oakland Raiders relocating to Las Vegas “premature” at the NFL owners meetings on Tuesday, according to NFL.com.

Discussing a potential Raiders move to Nevada was not officially on the agenda at the meetings, but Goodell acknowledged the mounting conversation on the topic and discounted rumors that relocation was imminent. 

He noted that he has been in recent contact with the mayor of Oakland about efforts to develop a plan to build a new stadium in the city. The Raiders signed a one-year lease renewal at O.co Coliseum for the 2016 season, but their rent was raised from $925,000 to $3.5 million.

Raiders owner Mark Davis has been in contact with Nevada tourism officials and has received support for the move from Las Vegas mayor Carolyn Goodman. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Patriots owner Robert Kraft have also supported the idea of the Raiders relocating to Las Vegas. 

• Atlanta, South Florida, Los Angeles awarded future Super Bowls

Davis has pledged to give $500 million towards building a new stadium in Las Vegas, and said at the owners meetings on Tuesday that he has continued to receive vocal support from other owners.

“I haven’t heard no,” Davis said, according to Pro Football Talk.