In the near future, Oakland will no longer be the home of the silver and black. Unfortunate for some and fortunate for a few, the Raiders will be leaving the Oakland Alameda Coliseum in favor of a planned $1.9 billion stadium in Las Vegas. By an astounding 31-1 vote, NFL owners have approved the Raiders’ move from Oakland to the Sin City.

The owners were persuaded by the league’s ability to capitalize on the city’s booming tourists trade and willingness to contribute millions to the planned stadium. The Raiders are expected to stay in the Oakland area until 2020, partly because the mega stadium the franchise is expected to move into will not be ready until then. Up until now, the NFL steered clear of Las Vegas because of the city’s association with gambling and possibility of fixing games. However, such attitudes have faded with the country’s acceptance of gambling, and Las Vegas’ reduced reliance on proceeds from the gambling industry. Mark Davis, the franchise’s owner, cited the irresistible possibility “to build a world-class stadium in the entertainment capital of the world.”

The Raiders will also be joining the Vegas Golden Knights, an NHL expansion team, as shiny additions to the sports scene in Las Vegas. Born in Oakland in 1960, the move is the second in the franchise’s history. They relocated to Los Angeles in 1982 and returned to Oakland in 1995. They won Super Bowl XI and XV in Oakland and Super Bowl XVIII in Los Angeles. This is certainly a surreal and sad moment for the iconic team and its loyal fans. Raider fans have dealt with years of first-round busts and losing records, and to see their promising 12-4 team get ready to move, must be heartbreaking. Anchored by a stud quarterback Derek Carr and strong pass rusher Khalil Mack, the Raiders and its fans will still have a bright future no matter where they play.