This is fitting:
Plans to move the NFL’s Oakland Raiders to Las Vegas are already awash in backroom politics, gambling, casino moguls and money. Lots of money. Sheldon Adelson, the casino owner expected to be the primary financier, has withdrawn his offer of $650 million because he wasn’t involved in any of the proceedings.
Taxpayers were also expected to contribute $750 million of the cost of a new $1.9-billion stadium. The Raiders were supposed to chip in the smallest amount of the three major contributors – $500 million. And the Raiders were planning to pay $1 annually in rent. Yep – $1!
Without Adelson’s money, the Raiders now propose to pay $1.15 billion for the honour of being the second major professional sports team in Sin City. The NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights should precede them.
Everything seems to be proceeding smoothly on the hockey front. The NHL isn’t exactly a model of truth and virtue, but it sets a better example than the crooks in the NFL.