The Raiders finally are settled in Las Vegas.
At least partially.
The team was able to open its new training facility in nearby Henderson this week. About 70 team members — no players are allowed unless they are rehabilitating injuries — were on hand Monday at the Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center, a 335,000-square-foot complex.
Coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock were in attendance.
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It's the first time the Raiders have gotten their football operations personnel in the same building since NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell ordered team facilities shut in late March because of the coronavirus pandemic. In the Raiders' case, that was their building in Alameda, California.
“To me that was the biggest thing,” Mayock told the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “As much as I love this new building and how much I want to get used to it and get comfortable with it, the biggest thing is just being around the guys. We’ve seen each other on Zoom calls for too long now.
"And all that was cool and it was awesome, but there’s nothing like the energy you have when you’re together. Then you combine that with the energy of the new building and everybody’s so excited. It’s really cool.”
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Per the NFL's phased plan for reopening team facilities, everyone entering the Raiders' complex must have their temperature taken and wear masks.
Allegiant Stadium just off the Strip is set to open in early August. Of course, that’s pending developments with the pandemic. For now, Mayock is plenty excited by having the team's Henderson facility open.
“Just state of the art everything,” Mayock said. “I think our energy excitement level is at an all-time high.”
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