Las Vegas is the perfect place for an NFL team. After years of talk, it finally happened, and the Raiders moved to the desert city. I remember hearing the news and being overjoyed. It seemed like something that belonged only in the dreams of sports lovers around the world, yet here it was.
It didn’t take long for the team to make a big splash, either. Within months of starting at their new home, the Raiders broke ground on their stadium. It seemed like a great jolt for Las Vegas, showing that a major sports franchise believed in the city.
The interesting part about the Las Vegas NFL team is the amount of support they get from the local population. After all, Las Vegas has no real hometown team to call its own. Sure, there were some minor league sports teams before the Raiders arrived, but nothing like what they bring.
The enthusiasm of the locals for having a professional team is remarkable. Even the most casual sports fan can’t help but get excited about the Raiders. Everywhere you go, you can feel the pride radiating from the locals.
Though many were initially concerned about a potential disruption to the city, it quickly became clear that the Raiders were going to do great things for Las Vegas. Stadiums for football, basketball and hockey were soon built and refurbished, and locals are feeling more invested in the teams, as well as more connected to the city.
The organizers of the team also had fans in mind when they set up the schedule for the games. With the team playing home games on Thursday night, Sunday afternoon, and Monday night, it’s easy for fans to make the trip out to root the team on. Plus, Las Vegas is home to some of the best sports bars, so tailgates outside the stadium are even better.
The team is off to a great start as well. Gear was flying off the shelves, tickets to the games were hot commodities, and everyone in the city seems to have adopted the team as their own. Las Vegas and the Raiders are the perfect fit, and here’s hoping that the success continues.