Las Vegas Raiders team owner Mark Davis has wasted no time making the team’s presence felt In their new home following the 2020 NFL season.
The Raiders’ debut year in Las Vegas did not go quite as planned following their 8-8 finish. Regardless, they were able to officially usher on a new era for the franchise by opening the doors of Allegiant Stadium.
Davis has kept the momentum going by purchasing the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces from MGM Resorts International. It seems the prospect of owning two of the major professional teams in town was too good for him to pass up.
Davis expressed his excitement for what the Raiders and Aces can accomplish together, per ESPN’s Mechelle Voepel:
“The convergence of those two projects with the Raiders right next door is making for an exciting time and future for all involved,” Davis said. “I’m truly excited about the Aces and future for women’s basketball here in Las Vegas. I believe these women are the greatest athletes in the world at what they do. And the difference they can make in the community with young women and the leadership goals that they can give them are limitless.”
Davis also praised the Aces for their efforts regarding social justice and diversity:
“I believe the WNBA flipped the Senate in Georgia, by using the vote as their weapon, rather than anger or anything else,” Davis said of the WNBA’s support of Raphael Warnock in a U.S. Senate race against Atlanta Dream co-owner Kelly Loeffler. “There’s so much to learn from how they did that. I’m interested to see how the synergy between the Aces and the Raiders will grow. I think that the academy can have a big part of bringing them together.”
As part of the new partnership in Las Vegas, Davis will be clearing out a spot at Al Davis-Eddie Robinson Leadership Academy headquarters in Henderson, Nevada as soon as Spring 2022. Their combined efforts will give each team a new platform to shine a light on the ongoing issues.
Like the Raiders, the Aces have become quite accustomed to relocation over the years. They started off as the Utah Starzz in 1997 before moving to San Antonio and changing their name to the Silver Stars.
Unlike their new city counterparts, they are coming off a successful third season in Las Vegas that culminated with A’Ja Wilson winning the league’s MVP en route to losing to Seattle in the WNBA Finals.
