The Raiders are preparing for their Las Vegas move. For now, they’re in location limbo

When the NFL sent out its release determining the opponents for each NFL team in the 2020 season, the Raiders were the only team that didn’t have a hometown.

They were simply “Raiders.”

Although the end game is clear, the Raiders are in limbo. They’re not the Las Vegas Raiders, awaiting the expected completion of Allegiant Stadium and their team facility in Henderson, Nevada. Their days as the Oakland Raiders are over unless there are major problems with the construction of the stadium, necessitating the option year of a two-year lease extension.

The Raiders still have their Alameda facility as their base of operations and will hold training camp in Napa for the 25th consecuitve year. If all goes according to plan, they will then depart for Nevada. (No training camp sites beyond 2020 have been determined.) Messages to the NFL asking when the Raiders would officially be the “Las Vegas” Raiders were not returned, and a Raiders spokesman said the date of the name change is “undetermined.”

When the NFL draft is held April 23-35 in Paradise, Nevada, it remains to be seen whether the franchise will be identified as the “Raiders” or the “Las Vegas Raiders.”

When that change occurs, the Raiders can begin selling officially licensed NFL gear emblazoned with their new city affiliation.

Asked about leaving Oakland when the Raiders boxed up their belongings Monday, quarterback Derek Carr said, “We’ll miss it, but we’re still here in the offseason. We’re not going anywhere yet.”

It’s like being part of a very well-paid branch of the military. Raiders players will report when and where they’re told to report and have little choice but to get on board. Players mostly shrugged their shoulders and planned on going along for the ride.

“I think we’re doing off-season here, and then I guess we’re going to move after camp,” wide receiver Hunter Renfrow said. “Hopefully I can get settled in, get a place, June or July somewhere in there, so when the season starts you’re not scrambling to do all this kind of stuff.”

Renfrow and fellow Clemson rookie Clelin Ferrell have never set foot in Las Vegas.

“My perception is The Strip, but I heard that’s not entirely true,” Renfrow said. “I think it’s going to be a great place to live, a great place to play and it will be awesome.”

One of the most eloquent speakers about his positive experience in Oakland, Ferrell is nonetheless curious about Las Vegas.

“I’m excited. I just want to go out there and just see,” Ferrell said. “I keep hearing all this different stuff; I don’t know what it will be like. Maybe the casino — I like blackjack and all that.”

Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst said the vibe is different than last season, when the Raiders knew they wouldn’t be in Las Vegas yet and owner Mark Davis threatening to play somewhere other than the Coliseum after being sued by the city.

“It’s a lot different. Everyone is really excited. There’s going to be a ton of buzz around us,” Hurst said. “A lot of guys are going to stay connected in the off-season and try to work out together. That’s a big thing we’re going to try and do this year is try to keep guys close together and keep building that bond and that connection between the players.”

Part of that bond will include scouting expeditions to Las Vegas.

“I’ll definitely be looking out there, spend some time out there,” Hurst said. “Kolton (Miller) and a couple of guys have gotten houses built, so I’ll definitely go visit those guys and learn a little bit more about the area.”

Speaking of homes, the prices in Las Vegas and its suburbs for houses and apartments will be considerably less than the Bay Area.

A recent check of listings showed a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in the Tri-Valley area where many Raiders players live as selling for more than $900,000. A three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom home in Las Vegas can be found for as little as $145,900.

“My wife is already on the internet looking for good deals,” Renfrow said.

Players and coaches will also get to keep more of their money in terms of taxes.

According to Dan Cunningham, a Bay Area financial executive, assuming the primary residence is in Las Vegas, a player who takes a standard deduction and makes $1 million per year would save about $54,000 in taxes in Nevada assuming the player is single with a standard deduction.

The mission of general manager Mike Mayock and coach Jon Gruden to find players who are serious about football has an ancillary benefit in that they hopefully won’t be lured into “Sin City” pitfalls.

“We’re already a global brand, but that comes with certain things,” Ferrell said. “You’ve got to watch out for things you get involved with out there. Just remember keeping your eyes on the main thing. It’s about winning games. You can enjoy the Las Vegas area and all that, but we’ve got to win games and win the Super Bowl. That’s the No. 1 priority regardless.”

Cornerback Trayvon Mullen, who has been to Las Vegas, believes that a serious-minded rookie class will help the Raiders move forward and avoid the seamier side of the city.

“We’ve got a lot of good players and good people around, so I think that’s going to change the foundation of the organization,” Mullen said. “I think it’s a good area. There’s a lot to do. I think guys have got to have a mindset that is stable.”

The players have gone their separate ways, and until further notice, it’s business as usual.

Gruden began his season-ending press conference saying a farewell of sorts to media members who wouldn’t be covering the team in Las Vegas, then was asked if indeed the Raiders would be staying in Alameda and then training in Napa before the club leaves for good.

“That’s my understanding,” Gruden said. “So I guess I’ll get to see you guys some more.”