UFC President Dana White denied a Tuesday report from ESPN.com's Darren Rovell suggesting the promotion's majority owners, Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta of Zuffa, are looking to sell the business, but he told The Jim Rome Show on Friday that the brothers have their sights set on one day owning an NFL franchise (via Fox Sports' Damon Martin).
However, White pumped the breaks on speculation that the Fertittas could seek a stake in the Oakland Raiders, whose owner, Mark Davis, recently pledged $500 million for a new domed stadium in Las Vegas:
Here's the thing -- as you know you can't own an NFL team if you're involved with casinos. So if they were really making a serious move at the Raiders, they'd be selling Station Casinos not the UFC. But it is 100-percent a fact, they are hardcore football fans and I promise you one day the Fertitta brothers will own an NFL team. No doubt about it.
On Tuesday, Rovell tweeted that he "wouldn't be surprised" if the Fertittas attempt to buy a piece of the Raiders if they wind up moving to Las Vegas.
Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman recently told ESPN's Andy Katz on the Capital Games podcast that Davis is serious about trying to relocate the Raiders.
"Mark Davis has assured us that Las Vegas is not getting played in a Raiders stadium deal," she said. "I know we will have a team."
Goodman also told The Dan Patrick Show on Thursday that the San Diego Chargers could be an option to land in Las Vegas should the Raiders stay in Oakland.
"To me, yes," she said of the possibility. "I know they're absolutely looking to move."
More clarity should emerge in 2017. The Raiders signed a one-year lease to remain at the Oakland Coliseum in 2016, but the deal has two one-year options at the team's discretion that would allow it to opt out and move, according to the Associated Press (via ESPN.com).
Furthermore, the Raiders will have an option to move to Los Angeles in 2017 if the Chargers exercise their right of first refusal.
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