Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis weighs in on grass fields movement after the World Cup

Photo by Louis Grasse/Getty ImagesLas Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis has broken his silence on the demand for NFL teams to use grass fields on the back of this summer’s World Cup.

>The Allegiant Stadium was not one of the host venues for the United States at the World Cup, but it is one of the NFL stadiums that uses a natural grass playing surface.

>There is an argument to be made that a natural surface is easier for Vegas to maintain given it is an indoor venue, which does not expose the grass to the elements.

>However, Davis is one of the owners who believes playing on a grass field is largely beneficial for his players’ health and wellbeing.

>This is not a view that is shared across the league, with numerous NFL players now protesting their thoughts after seeing grass pitches laid down for the World Cup soccer teams.

>As the Dallas Cowboys have already ripped up their grass field at AT&T Stadium, Davis has issued a message on the importance of his players playing on a natural surface.

Photo by Candice Ward/Getty ImagesLas Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis weighs in on NFL grass field protestsIn recent days, Seattle Seahawks fans have urged their new owners to lay down a grass surface at Lumen Field.

>It is proving the hottest topic of discussion across the league, as the players make their voices heard over social media.

>“There was no way I was going to build the stadium or anything else to play on artificial turf,” said the 71-year-old.

>“I just always felt that the safety issue, number one, and I grew up around football and the grass and mud and the smell of those uniforms after the game.”

>The Raiders’ stadium cost just shy of $2 billion to build and Davis did not cost cut by going with an artificial playing surface for his players.

>Pat McAfee has backed the NFL players’ protest for grass fields, with Davis also backing the notion it should be an investment from the owners towards their players’ safety.

>Owners across the league are happy to pay out huge wages to their star players, but there is a clear hesitation from some of them to splash out on installing and maintaining a grass field.

>Witnessing the same stadiums across the nation suddenly install grass for the World Cup will have come as a slap in the face for NFL players across the league.

>This is why the movement is picking up steam ahead of the 2026 season getting underway.

>Read more:

What Stephen A. Smith told the ESPN ‘bosses’ after learning of Ryan Clark’s firing • >Why Seattle Seahawks new owner could save billions of dollars in taxes with $9.6bn takeover • >Roger Goodell’s $64m NFL salary to explode as masterplan for 18-game season accelerates