Could the Raiders also be relocating to Reno in 2020?

By Mick Akers

Friday, Aug. 17, 2018 | 2 a.m.

The Raiders move to Nevada in 2020 might not be limited to a new stadium in Las Vegas and headquarters in Henderson. Reno could also be getting the Silver and Black — albeit for a few weeks each summer.

Raiders President Marc Badain was joined by Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak, Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve and other leaders on Thursday for a tour of three potential training camp sites in Reno.

Hug and Wooster highs and UNR were the targeted sites during the tour. Sisolak said other sites could also be considered.

Talks with the Raiders about hosting their camp in Nevada began shortly after the team’s relocation to Las Vegas was approved by the NFL, Sisolak said. Reno makes sense because the temperatures are cooler in late July and through August when camp is held, and it’s only about a four-hour drive from Oakland, the team’s current home.

“We wanted to figure out a way to have the training camp in the state, but out of Las Vegas,” Sisolak said. “The Reno-Tahoe area works out perfect because it’s not too hot up there.”

Team owner Mark Davis has previously expressed the importance of holding training camp outside the city the team is based in because it helps with team bonding and limits distractions. Locally, the team will be based in Henderson on 55 acres near St. Rose Parkway and Executive Airport Drive.

The Raiders have held their training camp in Napa, Calif., since 1996 after relocating back to Oakland in 1995. This year’s camp was from July 26 to Aug. 16.

If a site is agreed upon, upgrades would be needed to bring the facility up to NFL standards. All improvements would be paid for by the Raiders, Schieve said. Any possible scheduling conflict between the Raiders camp and either high schools’ or UNR’s own football season preparations would also need to be managed.

“I haven’t heard of any conflicts or pushback at this point. I think the school district would be elated to work with the Raiders any way they could,” Schieve said. “I certainly think them giving back to the high school would be great, because they would put some investment in.”

The pairing would make a lot of sense for all parties involved, as Reno and the Raiders would make for a perfect collaboration, Schieve said.

“As for the city, sports tourism is a huge driver,” she said. “What I love about this … is it shows you one state, between the north and the south, to be able to root on this team.”

And, of course, being in Reno would give the Bay Area fans a chance to be close to the team they are losing.

“That’s another benefit is the access to the Bay Area is very easy,” Schieve said. “They will still have access to the team that they know and love.”