Oakland Raiders: It’s Only April, But Denver Fans Already Clutching Their Pearls

Reason #1 – They’re Moving

"“They’re moving. Oakland already couldn’t sell out their stadium on a regular basis and now that the team has insulted their local fanbase, fewer fans will be inclined to go. In addition to the diminished home field advantage, the players know that they’re leaving and, even though it’s years away, the move will be a distraction.”"

Is it possible that the fact the team is moving to Vegas will be a distraction? Sure, anything is possible. But let’s also not forget that the move won’t be for at least, another two years.

The Raiders will be in Oakland for the 2017 and very likely, the 2018 season, as is Mark Davis’ right under the terms of the lease he signed with the city of Oakland. Whether they play there again in 2019 remains to be seen. If tempers have cooled and the Oakland city officials decided to grow up and be adults about it, the Raiders may well play another season in the East Bay. If not, they won’t.

But the one thing that seems to be certain is that this “distraction” won’t be much of a distraction for another couple of seasons.

As far as the “diminished” home field advantage? Maybe. Maybe not. Yes, fans in the East Bay are upset. Understandably so. Will that prevent them from coming to the stadium to see a playoff caliber team perform? Perhaps. Perhaps not.

And if some fans do decide to stay away, will that truly impact the caliber of play on the field? Doubtful. That seems to be a simple case of wishful thinking on somebody’s part.

Certainly, the players are going to be asked about the move by the media. Endlessly. But that is likely to be the extent of the “distraction.” It will be an annoyance, not a cause for them losing games – as much as some folks in Denver hope it would be.