Mark Davis, owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, had mixed feelings about handing over Allegiant Stadium to the Kansas City Chiefs for Super Bowl LVI in February 2022. Here’s a summary of his public comments:
Humor and Division Rivalries:
- He jokingly claimed the Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers (the other team competing) were his “two favorite teams other than the Raiders,” acknowledging the intense rivalry between the AFC West teams.
- He said, “There’s bad news and good news in this game. The bad news is one of these teams is going to win the Super Bowl. The good news is one of them isn’t.”
Professionalism and Business:
- He praised the NFL and the game’s economic benefits for Las Vegas, highlighting his pride in hosting the Super Bowl.
- He acknowledged the Chiefs earned their spot and deserved to play in the stadium.
- He expressed hope that Raiders fans would still show up and support the event, emphasizing that it was bigger than any one team.
Hidden Humor and Positivity:
- He joked that his late father, Al Davis, a Raiders legend known for his fierce competitiveness, would have bugged the Raiders’ training facility used by the Chiefs during Super Bowl week.
- He playfully suggested the Chiefs players might be so impressed with the facilities they’d consider joining the Raiders.
Overall, Mark Davis’ comments walked a tightrope between acknowledging the awkwardness of a rival team using his stadium for the Super Bowl, showcasing professionalism and respect for the event, and injecting some lighthearted humor.
His focus ultimately seemed to be on the positive aspects of hosting the Super Bowl and the benefits it brought to Las Vegas.