Mark Davis says Raiders still could train in Napa after Las Vegas move

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NAPA – This is the last year the Raiders are contractually obligated to hold training camp here at the Napa Valley Marriott.

The Silver and Black’s stay here will likely carry on beyond that. Raiders owner Mark Davis said Sunday that it’s “almost for sure; that’s certain,” his team will exercise the option to train here in 2020, prior to a scheduled relocation to Las Vegas.

The Raiders are building a new stadium off the Las Vegas Strip that is scheduled to open in July 2020. They are also constructing a team facility in Henderson, Nev., that should be done next spring/summer.

The Raiders are expected to conduct their offseason program in Alameda, and a training camp in wine country before formally making the scheduled move to Las Vegas.

Oakland isn’t in the Raiders’ future plans, but Napa still could be. Davis loves the training site, with fields adjacent to the swanky Napa Valley Marriott. It’s an ideal training site he might not be ready to relinquish in future seasons.

“I love it here,” Davis said. “I have no problem with it, and it makes sense. No matter where we go, we’ll have to fly to Las Vegas from training camp. If we were to go to Reno, or anywhere else in the world to train, we would still have to fly there. Then, why not just fly from here?”

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Reno is another training camp option. Davis also mentioned Lake Tahoe as a possible training site but said altitude effects would have to be evaluated when considering that mountainous site.

While a team option exists to re-up with Napa next year, a new deal would have to be worked out for future seasons. This set up is convenient and picturesque, and could attract other teams if the Raiders abandon it in the future.

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