In the 2020 season the Raiders actually want to play in Las Vegas. …at the all-new Allegiant Stadium. But in the Corona crisis the franchise could end up back in Oakland.

The Raiders’ widely announced move from Oakland to Las Vegas for the new season could fall victim to the Corona crisis. This scenario is at least what “NBC” reporter Mike Florio draws.

Because if the government in the USA or even in the affected state of Nevada were to impose a curfew to stem the spread of the virus, the construction of the 1.8 billion US dollar Allegiant Stadium would of course also be delayed. And possibly not be finished until the NFL season, which, according to current plans, begins in early September.

Raiders Stadium to open in June after two and a half years of construction
The new Raiders home is actually scheduled to open in June – after a construction phase of more than two and a half years. The Los Angeles-based Rams and Chargers, whose joint SoFi Stadium is not even scheduled to be ready for use until August – if everything goes according to plan.

But while the two LA franchises have long been using sporting homes in their hometown and could therefore continue to use them in the future, the Raiders would probably have to play the role backwards and continue to compete in the Oakland Coliseum for the time being.

Las Vegas stadium boss: “Virus will have no effect on stadium construction
But Steve Hill does not assume this at all. In the “Las Vegas Review Journal”, the chairman of the stadium authority in the gambling town reassures: “Even though we have no experience with the corona virus, I cannot imagine a situation in which this virus could have an impact on stadium construction”.

According to the newspaper, almost 2000 workers are working on the construction, which will hold 72,000 spectators. Nevada’s Governor Steve Sisolak says he will consult with experts about possible restrictions on public life in the state.

Schedule for stadium construction to be discussed at meetings
Hill expressed the conviction that any decisions on restrictions would be taken very carefully. The stadium owner himself assumes that the next meeting of his authority will also discuss the construction schedule, but nobody is worried that the coronavirus will play a role.

If the consequences of the new disease are being discussed, it is more likely to be the possible financial losses due to cancelled events, travel restrictions between countries and the resulting lower number of visitors. If the going really gets tough, reserves have been set aside for emergencies.