Oakland Athletics’ still have significant hurdles to overcome before the Las Vegas move goes ahead…with a team seeking $395 MILLION in public funds from Nevada lawmakers to build a $1.5 billion stadium in Sin City’
- The A’s are going to build a new stadium on a lot owned by Tropicana on the strip
- The MLB franchise is seeking $395 million in public funds from Clark County
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The Oakland Athletics have yet to agree on a flat amount to allocate for stadium financing in Las Vegas with Nevada lawmakers as the MLB franchise looks set to leave the Bay Area by the end of the season.
The A’s are seeking $395 million in public funds to build a $1.5 billion stadium on the Tropicana lot owned by Gaming & Leisure Properties Inc. and is operated by Bally’s.
What’s more is that the A’s would receive nine acres of the land for free — worth an estimated $180 million — from Bally’s, contingent on the team finding a middle ground with the Nevada legislature.
According to the Las Vegas Review Journalwith the nine-time World Series champion also negotiating the remaining $75 million with Clark County.
However, lawmakers are only agreeing to provide $150-$195 million in funding, the Nevada independent reported.
The owners of the Tropicana hope a deal reached with the A’s pledging nine free acres on the Las Vegas Strip will help bring a $1.5 billion MLB ballpark project to fruition
However, the A’s have yet to agree on a fixed amount of public funds with Nevada lawmakers
State lawmakers then would only be willing to spend $195 million, according to Fox5 Las Vegasalthough the state of Clark County could mandate a $125 million bond.
The Nevada Legislature is in the final part of a six-week session held every two years. A funding bill of this nature would be exempt from a deadline that has passed for bills to be filed and cleared from their first committees.
In April, Nevada Republican Governor Joe Lombardo said he was sticking to a campaign pledge not to raise taxes, a spokesman said in a public statement.
“The prospect of bringing new jobs, increased economic development and an exceptional MLB team to Las Vegas is exciting on many levels,” said Lombardo. “As we continue to take advantage of this opportunity, I am in regular contact with the A’s, Major League Baseball, legislative leadership, and local and national stakeholders.”
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo said he would approve the A’s move to Las Vegas if they don’t raise taxes
Others were generally supportive while speaking in general terms.
Democratic Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager pointed to the city’s recent success in hosting sports teams.
“It is important that we consider both the benefits and the implications for Las Vegas and the state,” Yeager added.
Heidi Seevers Gansert, the Minority Leader of the Republican Senate, made a similar comment in a statement, also saying she looks forward to reviewing the proposal.
Republican Councilwoman Danielle Gallant said her caucus “will continue to support our governor as he navigates possible ways to diversify our economy and strengthen the existing industries that make Nevada unique.”
The A’s planned to build a new stadium on the 49-acre Red Rock Resorts property in the Las Vegas suburb of Paradise, but switched to the Tropicana lot late in the process.