Raiders reportedly have backup plans if new stadium is not ready for start of season
Because of the uncertainty surrounding sports during the coronavirus pandemic, the Raiders are making worst-case scenario plans for their debut in Las Vegas.
The Raiders are still on schedule to open at Allegiant Stadium, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported, but if there are delays tied to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team could get some wiggle room with its schedule.
Vincent Bonsignore of the Review-Journal reported “the Raiders could play all four preseason games on the road to create a monthlong window for stadium completion. There is also the possibility of the Raiders playing their first few regular-season games on the road to extend that work window even further.”
The NFL schedule is expected to be released before May 9, and if Las Vegas opens with AFC West foes at home, that could help the Raiders.
“That would create flexibility to manipulate the schedule by flipping home and away games,” Bonsignore wrote.
In that scenarios, a Week 2 game against, say, the Chiefs in Las Vegas potentially would be moved to Arrowhead Stadium if the Raiders stadium isn’t ready.
An absolute worst-case scenario could see the Raiders playing games in Salt Lake City, Phoenix or San Diego, Bonsignore wrote.
This story was originally published April 15, 2020 at 9:41 AM.
