Mark Davis on Raiders’ interest in Las Vegas: ‘Neither confirm nor deny’

The NFL has been quite vocal over the years in how it negatively views Las Vegas, but the league has gone quiet for now regarding news the Oakland Raiders might considering moving here.

Raiders owner Mark Davis will meet with Las Vegas Sands Corporation Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson on Friday regarding the site of a potential stadium on property owned by UNLV near its campus.

Attempts to reach someone inside the Oakland organization for comment were unsuccessful, and Davis said to ESPN.com, as he laughed, "In typical Raider fashion, I can neither confirm nor deny."

The Bleacher Report's Jason Cole reported a similar comment, and later tweeted: "Told by source idea of #Raiders moving to Vegas is very real. Mark Davis and Sheldon Adelson have been discussing it for two years."

The Raiders probably will remain in Oakland for at least another season. According to CSNCalifornia.com, the Raiders are negotiating with O.co Coliseum to play the 2016 season there.

But long term is another matter. Andy Abboud, senior vice president of government relations and community development for Las Vegas Sands, told the Review-Journal the company is proceeding with building a domed stadium that will cost more than $1 billion regardless if an NFL team is an occupant.

The NFL probably would fight the Raiders if they decided to move to Las Vegas because the league has taken a public stance against legalized sports wagering. Valley casinos aren't allowed to use the name "Super Bowl" when hosting parties for that game.

So even if Davis decides to seriously pursue Las Vegas as an option, the league likely won't do anything to help him. He could be like his late father, Al, who wasn't afraid to battle the NFL, and successfully won the right to move from Oakland to Los Angeles in 1982 after the league denied him.

Al Davis took the Raiders back to Oakland 13 years later and then sued the NFL, claiming the league worked against his effort to remain in Southern California.

So if Mark Davis decides to follow in his dad's footsteps and move to Las Vegas without league support, he can count on a battle.

But as for now, the NFL isn't talking. League spokesmen Greg Aiello and Brian McCarthy didn't respond to requests for comment.

The Review-Journal is owned by a limited liability company controlled by the Adelson family, majority owners of Las Vegas Sands.

Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65