Why calling the new Raiders stadium ‘The Death Star’ is a bad idea

On Friday, the Las Vegas Raiders took their first steps onto the field at their new home: Allegiant Stadium on the Strip — where the Kansas City Chiefs will play their AFC West division opponents at least once every season for the foreseeable future.

As they did so, the stadium loudspeakers carried a message spoken by team owner Mark Davis, via ESPN.

“Welcome to the Death Star, where our opponents’ dreams come to die,” said Davis. “My father always said that the greatness of the Raiders is in its future. Well today that future really starts. This magnificent stadium was built on the backs of thousands of players, coaches, administrators and fans, who for the past 60 years have proudly worn the Silver and Black.”

Aside from the odd mixed metaphor combining elements from two entirely different kinds of Hollywood movies — Star Wars: Episode IV and Field of Dreams — Davis’ attempt to inspire his team with this imagery was... well... a bit unfortunate.

As almost every Jedi knows, the Death Star was able to use its awesome power only once: when it destroyed the planet Alderaan. Before it could destroy the rebel base on Dantooine Yavin 4, it was itself destroyed by a rebel attack focusing on a weak point revealed by blueprints stolen from the Empire’s forces.

Of course... all of this did happen a long time ago in a galaxy far away. Maybe Davis just forgot.

This time, finding the Death Star’s weak point isn’t going to take a rebel princess and a cast of space-faring heroes to spirit the stolen plans across the galaxy. We already know what it is: a Chiefs flag buried under the new stadium.

And if that doesn’t work... there’s always Patrick Mahomes. The Force is strong in that one.

See you in Week 11, Raiders.