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Video promoting Raiders move to Las Vegas hits internet

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- There should be no doubt now that the Oakland Raiders are serious about moving to Las Vegas.

Even if you questioned Raiders owner Mark Davis’ statements from last month or from a couple of days ago.

A video put out by the Support Las Vegas Dome group entitled, “The Time Is Now” was played at the May meeting of the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee on Thursday. And while the main focus was on just getting the state-of-the-art, $1.4 billion stadium built in Southern Nevada, the Raiders played a starring role.

Davis and team president Marc Badain each appear in the slickly produced video, as does the late Al Davis in an archived interview.

“When my father passed away and I took over, I feel like I’m the person that’s carrying the torch forward and it’s my responsibility to perpetuate his legacy,” the younger Davis said.

“For the past six years we’ve been trying to get a stadium done in Oakland and the opportunity of Las Vegas came to our attention.

“Our goal is to build a local fan base and building the pride in the community with the Raiders and the organization. … When our season’s over, we stay, 24/7, 365 days a year. The players working with the schools, working with the other organizations, charities, are things that I don’t think anybody else can bring, that the Raiders and the National Football League can bring to this city.”

Said Badain: “We want people to understand how sincere we are in becoming a part of the fabric of the Las Vegas community and how important it is to this organization and how important it would be to the players, the coaches, the staff, their families and our alumni to be part of this community for decades.”

Among others appearing in the video and speaking in favor of the stadium and/or the Raiders relocating to Southern Nevada:

  • Nevada State Senate Majority Leader Michael Roberson

  • Nevada State Senate Minority Leader Aaron Ford

  • Nevada State senators Scott Hammond and Kelvin Atkinson

  • Former Raiders running back Napoleon McCallum, who is the director of community development for the Sands Corp.

  • Tim Leiweke, CEO of the Oak View Group and former AEG CEO

  • Irving Azoff, Chairman of Azoff MSG Entertainment and former Chairman of Live Nation

  • UNLV President Len Jessup, who said a new stadium would help his school move into a Power 5 conference

  • UNLV football coach Tony Sanchez