The chances of the Las Vegas Raiders reaching the Super Bowl this season are slim, but fans’ season tickets are still considered a valuable asset.
To the surprise of season ticket holders, the team sent out this year’s passes in a pirate-themed treasure chest decorated with the team logo.
The eye-catching souvenir consists of an illuminated treasure map and several medal cases in which the precious Raiders tickets are kept.
Season tickets for the Raiders reportedly start at $2,750, so the gift can hardly be described as a “freebie.” Still, the reaction online was overwhelmingly positive, with fans of other teams admitting to being jealous.
“I’ve never been jealous of the Raiders fans, until now,” one fan joked on X.
The Raiders sent this year’s season passes in a pirate-themed treasure chest
Ticketmaster appeared to invite comparisons between its company and piracy with the gift
This particular fan shared images of his tickets online after they arrived in a treasure chest
Interestingly, season ticket holders – and indeed all Raiders fans – will not be allowed to attend training camp this summer.
The Raiders left Las Vegas for a training camp away from home, heading to Los Angeles. Under NFL rules regarding “exclusive home territory” for teams in the market, fans are not allowed to attend practices there.
The Raiders would violate the NFL rule that protects the geographic boundaries of the two teams that call Los Angeles home (AFC West rivals the Chargers and Rams) if they allowed public access or invited local media to training camp.
Owner Mark Davis told ESPN that the Rams and Chargers are enforcing the restrictions and that there are no established ways to undo the exclusivity clause.
“It would be nice if all the fans could be there, but okay. Like I said, the Chargers and Rams have that ability,” he said.
Head coach Antonio Pierce said the only reason he would be concerned is if the primary goal of team bonding was affected. From his perspective, the rule doesn’t change anything for training camp.
“Team building, coming together and getting to know each other, getting away from all the distractions — it’s all about the ball,” he told ESPN. “Just the ball.”