Roger Goodell: NFL is all in on making Las Vegas ‘bigger and better’

By Case Keefer (contact)

Saturday, Jan. 18, 2020 | 2 a.m.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has made semi-regular visits to Allegiant Stadium throughout its construction over the last two years, but he’s yet to get a fully private tour of the Raiders’ new home field.

That’s because one of his colleagues always insists on being there alongside him. Raiders owner Mark Davis can’t stay away from the $2 billion stadium.

“He loves it; he told me his favorite time to walk over to the stadium is late at night when he can walk over by himself,” Goodell said. “I hate to say it this way, but he’s like a kid in the candy store.”

Some of Davis’ enthusiasm evidently rubbed off on Goodell. Speaking to close out the Vegas Chamber’s annual year-preview event Friday morning at Wynn Las Vegas, Goodell expressed bullish thoughts on the local market.

Gone were the generalities that Goodell typically shared when talking about Las Vegas early in the process of the Raiders’ relocation. With the Raiders set to fully arrive next season and the NFL Draft headed to the area in April, Goodell upgraded to superlatives.

“Las Vegas has done such an incredible job in diversifying and becoming a world-class city,” Goodell said. “I think that’s what attracted the Raiders and the NFL’s support beyond that, because it is a city that is on the rise. It’s been through a tremendous transformation, which we want to be a part of, we want to try to contribute to. We want to find a way to make it bigger and better faster and I believe our platform can help.”

Goodell repeatedly emphasized that the Raiders aren’t the only organization bought into the community. So is the whole NFL.

That will be apparent April 23-April 25 when the NFL Draft comes to town — Goodell said the process of finalizing all the details were under way and they would be announced soon — but it won’t be the only time. Goodell also praised Las Vegas in saying all the infrastructure was in place to host the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl or other NFL events.

He then cited that Super Bowls typically stimulate an economic impact of around $500 million, and that last year’s draft in Nashville generated $224 million.

“I believe Las Vegas is going to blow that up,” Goodell said.

“When (a draft) becomes successful is when a community takes it and makes it theirs, so this should be about Vegas. This should be about showing off this great city, the iconic features of this city, the people of this city. I think that’s what is going to make it really spectacular.”

Davis cited an estimate of 750,000 visitors for the draft, which would be an increase of 150,000 from last year. After introducing Goodell at the event, Davis took a seat in the front row and must have liked what he heard.

Goodell spoke highly not only of Davis’ passion as an owner but also everything Las Vegas has to offer — including areas like sports betting that were taboo for someone in his position as recently as a few years ago.

“We think that sports gambling in many ways creates a lot more engagement for our fans,” Goodell said. “It gives them another opportunity to engage with the game. Fantasy football did that too. We think this is fantasy football on steroids. It’s going to give people a chance to really participate in some fashion.”

Attitudes have, of course, changed over the last several years, so Goodell’s embrace of sports betting wasn’t exactly a shocking revelation. But it still remains slightly astonishing to hear after years of the NFL blackballing Las Vegas and giving gambling as the reason.

The 60-year-old Goodell said he first visited Las Vegas 20 years ago, and though he was always struck by the energy, he found the city more “casino driven” back then before it crossed further into the sports and entertainment realms.

“We still think there’s room to expand and that’s what’s exciting for us,” Goodell said. “We feel like we can be a part of that, go along for the ride and maybe contribute a little here and there to help get this city to where it wants to go next. That’s what strikes me so much, is how much it’s changed while it hasn’t lost its core spirit, which I think is so important and so remarkable and I hope it never does.”

Goodell was off to Kansas City after the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce appearance for this Sunday's AFC Championship Game and then to Miami for the Super Bowl. After that, Allegiant Stadium will likely be one of the next venues where the commissioner takes in a game.

He said a current task has been figuring out the best way to unveil the new venue, which is rumored to be hosting a primetime game in Week 1 of next season.

“Not only is Las Vegas getting the Raiders, one of the most iconic brands in sports,” Davis said, “they are also getting the entire power of the National Football League.”

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.