News

Mark Davis Oakland Raiders Las Vegas Stadium May Be Stopped By NFL Compliance Plan

Published

8 years ago

October 17, 2016

Mark Davis’ Las Vegas fantasy could be a real nightmare for the image-concious National Football League.

Monday, Mr. Davis, the Oakland Raiders Owner, will stand with (reportedly) Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson, and watch Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval sign the SB1 Bill that was passed by an exhausted Nevada Senate last week, and has within it the much-sought-after $750 million stadium construction subsidy.When he does, Mark Davis will have officially attached himself to Mr. Adelson as a business partner.Considering Adelson’s casino background and recent legal scandals, it’s a good idea Davis read the NFL Compliance Plan.The plan, established by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on July of 2015 (just last year), has a detailed set of policies regarding such matters as corruption, and business opportunities.

It’s the corruption area Davis will find of note, because many say that Las Vegas Sands has dirty hands (particularly in the matter of the persistent money-laundering claims that dog him and his organization)Because Adelson’s corporation seeks to do business with the NFL, and he has stated his interest in becoming an owner of the Oakland Raiders, the NFL Compliance Plan becomes of import.

This is written under E – Anti-Corruption: “It is a violation of NFL policy to offer bribes and other improper advantages in connection with the activities of the NFL. The NFL is committed to complying with anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws, including the United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the United Kingdom Bribery Act. Bribery, kickbacks, and other improper inducements to government officials, business partners, vendors, and suppliers are prohibited. No employee, agent, or representative worldwide may offer, promise, pay, or authorize any financial or other advantage or anything else of value to any person or organization with the intent to exert improper influence over the recipient, induce the recipient to violate his or her duties, or secure an improper advantage for the NFL or its member clubs. All employees are further prohibited from demanding, agreeing to receive, or accepting a bribe, kickback, or any other improper financial or other advantage.”

Mark Davis, Oakland Raiders Las Vegas Stadium vs NFL Compliance Plan Of 2015

It’s ultimately the decision of NFL Legal as to how to evaluate the actions of Las Vegas Sands but by the definition of the word “agent” the casino company is just that with respect to the Raiders. That is Las Vegas Sands is, with respect to the Oakland Raiders “a person or thing that causes something to happen” – and that something is ostensibly a new NFL stadium in Las Vegas.

After the Nevada Assembly vote last week, it was widely reported that lobbyists under the LV Sands payroll acted, in some cases, like bullies, and overall what they gave Nevada Senators and Assemblypeople can’t be reported, even if it was a conflict of interest – they signed a legal provision protecting them from that under Nevada Law. An act that caused the Twitterverse paying attention to the hashtag #nvLeg to rain negative tweets down, all over the place.

Buy the time the vote was finally taken, and after it had been delayed by the revelation that the Governor of Nevada had a Nevada Department of Transportation traffic study of the Las Vegas NFL Stadium Proposal in his possession and since October 4th (the Nevada Legislature met a week ago October 11th)

That study reads that there will have to be $900 million in road and freeway upgrades just to handle the traffic espected from the stadium. The news of that filled the Assembly, and caused a lot of angry reactions and hurt feelings. So many that when the bill passed last Friday, there wasn’t a clap in the room. A number of seasoned reporters outside of those who work for the one publication owned by Las Vegas Sands, The Las Vegas Review Journal, wrote or tweeted that they had never seen so many who were not happy about the decision they made, but felt, for various reasons, they had not choice but to do it.

Welcome to Nevada and Las Vegas Politics.

But what happens in Vegas will stay in Vegas, and is not NFL Policy. The NFL Compliance Plan has other areas that apply to the Raiders / Las Vegas Sands relationships. Altogether, this is in addition to the need for the Raiders to obtain a two-thirds vote of the NFL Ownership to relocate from Oakland.

And then, there’s the matter of the NFL Constitution and the NFL Relocation Policy and whether or not Las Vegas actually fits as a real relocation candidate. The consideration of whether there is what the policy calls a “compelling” reason to move to Las Vegas will be front and center – and the answer is no, there is not one.

The NFL Bylaws also call for the Raiders to have a good relationship with the home community, Oakland, and there are many examples where the Raiders have not worked to have this with Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. Now that Adelson, a Donald Trump-supporter, is involved, Trump’s many negative associations with women can and will also come into consideration by the media. Will this rub off on Davis and if so, why? Overall, this could degenerate into something that embarrasses the NFL – a clear violation of the NFL Compliance Plan.

The Raiders can stay in Oakland, and behind the scenes, are working on staying. Mark Davis should cut his Las Vegas losses because The NFL Compliance Plan will, behind the scenes, play a powerful roll in Mark Davis; team playing ball in Oakland and not Las Vegas.

Stay tuned.

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Activism

NAACP California-Hawaii State Convention Highlights Black Voter Engagement, and More

A Friday panel featuring NAACP Chairman Leon W. Russell and Regina Wilson, Executive Director of California Black Media, examined Project 2025, an initiative perceived as a potential threat to civil rights, healthcare access, and environmental protection. This session emphasized Project 2025’s projected impact on Black communities, noting that policies within the initiative could diminish gains in civil and environmental rights over decades. Russell and Wilson highlighted the need for vigilant monitoring and community mobilization to address these challenges.

Published

1 day ago

November 4, 2024

Oakland Post

NAACP State Conference President Rick Callender (right) engages in a discussion on voter engagement and community advocacy with NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson during the 37th NAACP California-Hawaii State Convention in Los Angeles. Photo by Rich Woods.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

The 37th NAACP California-Hawaii State Convention concluded on Sunday, Oct 27, following four days of discussions and workshops at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott. Bringing together civil rights leaders, policymakers, and advocates from California and Hawaii, the convention operated under the theme “All In.” The participants discussed critical issues impacting Black communities, including criminal justice reform, health equity, economic empowerment, education, environmental justice, and voting rights.

On Saturday, the President’s Fireside Chat brought together NAACP President Derrick Johnson and CA/HI State Conference President Rick Callender, who discussed the urgency of voter engagement and community advocacy.

Guest speakers included Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA-43), who spoke at the Women in NAACP (WIN) Labor Luncheon about the intersection of labor rights and civil rights. California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond delivered remarks at the Leadership Dinner on education equity, focusing on policies to ensure all students have access to high-quality education.

Honors were given to longtime social justice advocate and former Assemblymember Mike Davis for his work in community activism. At the same time, actor and activist Danny Glover and the Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown received the 2024 Legacy Hall of Fame Awards, recognizing their lifelong commitments to advancing civil rights.

The convention also offered practical workshops, including “What’s On Your Ballot?,” where coalition leaders provided analyses of California propositions, explaining their potential impacts on community rights and resources. The Voter Turnout Workshop provided background and encouraged participants to promote voter turnout through community-centered outreach strategies.

Sunday’s events closed with a Prayer and Memorial Breakfast honoring the contributions of past and current civil rights leaders.

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Bay Area

Alameda County Judge Blasts Defendants Over Delay in West Oakland Fire Trial

Judge Kimberly Lowell excoriated the RadiusRecycling/SchnitzerSteel defendants in court for causing delays in prosecuting this case. Since the defendants first appeared in court on July 23, they have obtained three extensions of the arraignment date.

Published

1 day ago

November 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Criminal charges announced this week are related to the August 2023 scrap metal fire at Radius Recycling Inc., formerly Schnitzer Steel. Photo courtesy of Oaklandside.

Special to The Post

District Attorney Pamela Price announced that a hearing was held on October 30 in the criminal prosecution of the Radius Recycling/Schnitzer Steel involving a fire at the West Oakland facility on Aug. 9-10, 2023.

The Alameda County criminal Grand Jury indicted radius Recycling and two of its corporate managers in June 2024.

The court clarified that the defendants will not receive more extensions on their arraignment and plea.

Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price agreed with the court that defendants should not get preferential treatment. Price and her team appreciated the court for clarifying that future delays by Radius will not be tolerated.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District’s (BAAQMD) public data shows that during and after the fire, the smoke plume traveled across Alameda County with high levels of PM 2.5 (Particulate Matter less than 2.5 microns in diameter) detected around Laney College in Oakland, Livermore, Pleasanton, and West Oakland.

PM2.5 is particularly harmful to infants and children, the elderly, and people with asthma or heart disease.

“This fire posed a great health hazard to the people of Alameda County,” said Price. “High, short-term exposures to a toxic smoke plume have been shown to cause significant danger to human health.

“Additionally, in this case, Oakland firefighters battled the blaze under extremely dangerous conditions for 15 hours with assistance from a San Francisco Fire Department fireboat and a fireboat from the City of Alameda Fire Department,” Price observed.

The team prosecuting the case from the DA’s Consumer Justice Bureau looks forward to resolving any future motions and having the defendants arraigned in court on Dec. 9.

The media relations office of the Alameda County District Attorney’s office is the source of this report.

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Alameda County

D.A. Price Charges Coliseum Flea Market Vendors in Organized Retail Theft Case

The charges against Octavio Ambriz Valle, 52, Devora Ambriz Valle, 49, and Felipe Del Toro Trejo, 54, include multiple felony counts of possessing stolen property and organized retail theft in concert. It is alleged that the trio of vendors possessed stolen property valued at $348,466 from nine different retailers, including Kohl’s, Macy’s, PetSmart, Sephora, Sunglass Hut, TJX, Target, Walgreens, and Walmart.

Published

1 day ago

November 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Alameda County courthouse. Courtesy photo.

Alameda County Courthouse File photo.

Special to The Post

Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price announced today that her office charged three people in connection with multiple organized retail theft crimes stemming from a sophisticated criminal enterprise operating at the Oakland Coliseum Flea Market from March 26, 2023, through April 17, 2024.

It is alleged that the trio of vendors possessed stolen property valued at $348,466 from nine different retailers, including Kohl’s, Macy’s, PetSmart, Sephora, Sunglass Hut, TJX, Target, Walgreens, and Walmart.

Last year, the District Attorney’s Office successfully competed and received a $2 million grant from the California Department of Justice to combat organized retail theft. Price added another $2 million to bolster the Organized Retail Crime Alameda (ORCA) unit which is fully operational and collaborating with numerous law enforcement agencies.

“For over a year, this enterprise supported criminal networks by requesting and buying specific products from brazen boosters who repeatedly terrorized retailers,” said Price. “I want to acknowledge our Organized Retail Crime Alameda (ORCA) Vertical Prosecution Unit for its great work and the role they played in this multi-jurisdiction investigation, which included the California Highway Patrol Golden Gate Division Organized Retail Crime Task Force, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, and San Ramon Police Department.”

If convicted and sentenced on all charges, Octavio Ambriz Valle faces a maximum sentence of nine years in County jail; Devora Ambriz Valle faces a maximum sentence of five years in County jail; and Felipe Del Toro Trejo faces a maximum sentence of three years and eight months in County jail.