Vegas Golden Knights owner Bill Foley was quick to formally welcome the Oakland Raiders to Nevada, but he qualified his feelings on the NFL club's relocation in 2019.
Foley had expected the NBA would be the second league to move in, perhaps sharing the T-Mobile Arena, in lieu of spending $750 million in public money to help finance a football stadium, he told "Vegas Hockey Hotline" on Monday.
"There are a lot better ways to spend $750 million than on bringing the Oakland Raiders to Las Vegas," Foley declared. "Spend it on police, firemen, and teachers, and have all three be the best in the country. But I guess we're going to make a $750-million investment in a stadium."
The Raiders' new stadium will cost a total of $1.9 billion.
Foley conceded there are positives to having the NFL in the city, especially in terms of bringing opposing fans into hotels and casinos, and further proving Las Vegas is a legitimate sports town.
While he's not concerned about splitting the market with the NFL - saying it's like comparing apples to New York steak - he admitted it's not a situation he was yearning for.
"If I had had complete control of the situation, I would not have opted to have the Raiders come here, but I had no control and they're coming, so welcome," he said. "Bring it on."
Foley reiterated that his goals for the hockey club remain the same regardless of the potential pressure involved in competing with the Raiders: playoffs in three years and a Stanley Cup in six years.
"We're going to win, and we're going to win fairly early," Foley said. "You can take it to the bank."
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