Las Vegas

VEGAS SPORTS REPORT: Raiders Sign No. 1 Pick Fernando Mendoza Ahead of NFL Training Camp

Posted on: July 23, 2026, 05:50h.

Last updated on: July 23, 2026, 05:50h.

Written by

Mark Keast Mark is a long-time, seasoned journalist, as a writer and editor, working for several Toronto daily newspapers, then moving over to the digital arena, covering both sports and business. Over the past few years he moved over to the gaming arena, specifically covering the igaming industry in Canada for several platforms, as well as writing on sports betting.

Key Points

Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza signs a four-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $57.27 million
Mark Cuban-led Harbinger Sports Partners acquires a minority ownership stake in the Athletics
Washington upsets Las Vegas 100-99 as the Aces enter the WNBA All-Star break

The Las Vegas Raiders signed their first overall pick, quarterback Fernando Mendoza, to a rookie contract today (July 23), the team announced.

Fernando Mendoza attends the TIME100 Sports Gala at Pier 60, Chelsea Piers on July 16 in New York City. (Image: Jemal Countess/Getty Images for TIME)

Mendoza signed a four-year, $57.27 million fully guaranteed contract, with a fifth-year option. Rookies arrived at training camp today (July 23), with team veterans set to arrive July 28 (Tuesday).

Mendoza is the first player taken No. 1 overall by the Raiders since quarterback JaMarcus Russell in 2007.

Cousins Likely Week 1 Starter

The Raiders brought in four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins to mentor Mendoza, signing him to a one-year $20 million contract with guaranteed money for this season and team-controlled options after that.

Assuming he stays healthy, Cousins will start at quarterback in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins. So far during the team’s offseason program, Cousins has been getting the first-team reps under new head coach Klint Kubiak, with Mendoza getting mostly third-team reps and some second-team reps, according to ESPN.

Raiders Draw Playoff Bets

The 6-foot-5, 225-pound Mendoza spent his final college season at Indiana (2025) after three years at California (2022-24), appearing in 36 career games with 35 starts and completing 691-of-1,008 passing attempts for 8,247 yards, 71 touchdowns and 22 interceptions.

In 2025, Mendoza led the Hoosiers to their first national championship and an undefeated 16-0 season.

Aidan O’Connell is the third Raiders quarterback.

There is significant interest in the Raiders from a sports betting perspective. According to BetMGM, the Raiders’ odds to make the NFL playoffs opened at +1000 and have shortened to +550. They are also the sportsbook’s most-bet team to make the playoffs by ticket count.

Mark Cuban-Backed Firms Invests in A’s

An Atlanta-based, sports-focused private equity firm, led by Mark Cuban, the former owner of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Dallas Mavericks, has taken a minority ownership stake in the Athletics as the Major League Baseball (MLB) team prepares its move from Oakland to Las Vegas for the 2028 season.

It’s the first deal for Harbinger Sports Partners, launched in May. The size of the minority stake and the price paid were not disclosed. Forbes valued the A’s at USD $2 billion, ranking them 18^th out of 30 MLB teams.

Franchise Valuations Expected to Rise

The A’s will be playing in a new $2 billion stadium currently under construction on the Las Vegas Strip.

Harbinger said in a statement it will scope out other minority ownership positions in Las Vegas-based sports franchises as those opportunities emerge, per the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Harbinger General Manager and former MLB CFO Jonathan Mariner believes MLB teams are undervalued and poised for growth, citing upcoming labor negotiations and a new media rights deal as catalysts that could boost franchise valuations, Sports Business Journal reported.

The Athletics are currently 43-59, sitting eight games behind first place in the American League West and 9.5 games back of the final American League Wild Card spot.

WNBA: Mystics Stun Las Vegas

In WNBA action, Shakira Austin scored 25 points, including a three-point play with 12.8 seconds left, to lead the Washington Mystics to a 100-99 upset win over the Las Vegas Aces last night (July 22).

Las Vegas closed as a 6.5-point favourite, with a moneyline of around -250 to -260, making the loss a major upset. A’ja Wilson led the Aces with 38 points.

The Aces go into the WNBA All-Star break two games behind league-leading Minnesota.

Mark is a long-time, seasoned journalist, as a writer and editor, working for several Toronto daily newspapers, then moving over to the digital arena, covering both sports and business. Over the past few years he moved over to the gaming arena, specifically covering the igaming industry in Canada for several platforms, as well as writing on sports betting.