The Las Vegas Raiders are ready for business after the release of the 2021 regular-season schedule. Last season, fans were not allowed in Las Vegas due to Covid-19. As of now, the team will have supporters in the stands this year, but at an eyebrow-raising cost.
The Raiders’ schedule is here…
The 2021 NFL regular season schedule is finally here. The Raiders get an early Week 1 test as they welcome the Baltimore Ravens to Las Vegas. Fans possess both anticipation and excitement ahead of Allegiant Stadium’s opening, but the excitement has dwindled for some. This is more than likely due to the opening week’s ticket prices.
One could expect an increase in ticket prices compared to the Oakland Coliseum, as it was one of the NFL’s oldest venues. However, an increase in costs such as these below is a concerning trend for Raider Nation.
A look at some of the highest priced tickets for the Raiders vs. Ravens at Allegiant Stadium in Week 1 listed on the NFL Ticket Exchange site, with $12,500 the most expensive. #vegas #raiders #stadium pic.twitter.com/Si5uEKzG8r
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) May 13, 2021
For #NFL WK1, @Raiders and @Buccaneers have the most expensive 2ndary #tickets 🎟 Full #NFLScheduleRelease at 8pm ET. No-Fee #nfl tickets 👉 https://t.co/qksi1IHPdM pic.twitter.com/faYNdYl7Qf
— TicketIQ (@Ticket_IQ) May 12, 2021
Many have voiced their displeasure with the initial cost of ticket prices as expected.
These prices for single game tickets are ridiculous. I bought tickets to multiple games last year before covid hit and bought 5 tickets for this price of one ticket. Hopefully this changes. @Raiders #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/myYOeIzYAc
— Nick (@lceys) May 13, 2021
Even one of The Athletic’s beat writers for the Silver and Black was stunned by the prices.
$800 for the cheap seats is pretty wild https://t.co/1QbYBzKEcy
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) May 13, 2021
It’s safe to say that the Las Vegas ‘experience’ does not appeal to the average fan out of the gate. This experience begs the question, are these exorbitant costs worth it?
Early Raiders 53-Man Roster Projection
A mediocre team does not deserve high-paying fans
The Raiders have only had one winning season since they went 11-5 in 2002, where they lost to Jon Gruden’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since that fateful loss, the organization has gone through everything imaginable that could happen to a team. The Raiders have been arguably the NFL’s worst franchise between horrible draft choices, abysmal trades, and head-scratching blowout losses. When owner Mark Davis brought Gruden back in 2018, he believed that Gruden would have a positive impact at some point within three years. As Gruden enters year four with the organization, the tangible on-field results are still greatly lacking.
While many amongst Raider Nation mock the Dallas Cowboys and their spending, it’s evident that the Silver and Black are in hot pursuit of their business tactics. Davis wants his money as he was one of the most cash-strapped owners in sports before the Las Vegas move. When the product on the field does not match the cost, it only spells disaster should the team not win immediately in a new market.
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*Top Photo: Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal