Raiders Reportedly Will Have Enough Votes to Approve Las Vegas Relocation

The Raiders' move to Las Vegas is happening.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the franchise is expected to have enough votes to pass its relocation request from Oakland to the Nevada gambling mecca. A vote is expected to happen at 2 p.m. ET Monday as one of the first major agenda items from the owners' meetings.

"I think we will have a vote, and I think we will have a positive vote. I think we are in pretty good shape," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told ESPN's Sal Paolantonio.

Tom Pelissero of USA Today reported this from Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf:

The Raiders need a three-quarters majority (24 votes) for approval on their relocation bid. The franchise has been in Oakland since 1995 and for all but 13 years of its existence. Former owner Al Davis controversially moved the team to Los Angeles from 1982 to 1994.

None of the United States' four major professional sports leagues currently has a team in Las Vegas, owing in part to the city's rich gambling ties. The NHL got the ball rolling by awarding Vegas an expansion franchise in 2015. The team will begin play in a new arena next season.

Nevada state officials have pledged a record $750 million in public funding for a new stadium, which would begin construction this year with a planned 2020 opening. The Raiders and UNLV football would be housed at the facility.

Owners will also have to make rule changes that facilitate the move. As Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com noted, referees and on-field officials are currently barred from visiting the city during the season and from all sportsbooks.

"I do think that's something we'll discuss," Green Bay Packers CEO Mark Murphy said, "and [go over] what kind of precautions are going to be taken to ensure that we don't have a major scandal coming out of having a team in Las Vegas."

Provided at least 24 teams are confident the league has enough safeguards in place, all signs point to a third NFL relocation within the last year.