As the Oakland Athletics stadium saga continues, some prominent voices in Vegas are throwing their weight behind potential relocation to Nevada. This support comes as the A’s are back in court over the proposed Howard Terminal site in Oakland and the Las Vegas site hunt has been narrowed down to Tropicana on the Las Vegas Strip.
Mick Akers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that numerous Strip and downtown hotel and casino operators “fully support” the A’s relocating to the area.
After operators met with the A’s in Las Vegas earlier this month, the President of Resorts World Las Vegas Scott Sibella was quoted as saying,
"We reinforced our support that we believe the best site is on the Sahara/LV Blvd. Having the A’s in Las Vegas will be great for the Strip properties and the LV community."Scott Sibella
Oakland Athletics Howard Terminal court battle continues
Back in California, the Athletics continue their battle in court over the environmental report associated with the proposed $1 billion waterfront Howard Terminal site in Oakland. The court will hear both sides argue and rule whether the project can move forward with the current environmental impact statement. Joyce Cutler of Bloomberg Law noted that the court’s decision in this case could determine whether the A’s continue pursuing a new stadium in Oakland or set their sights on Vegas.
University of San Francisco sports management professor Nola Agha thinks that the ruling could complicate matters but does not see the A’s giving up on the project.
" The worst case scenario would probably have the A’s walk away if it was too complicated. I think the odds of the A’s walking away are low. They’ve been very patient with the process. They really want the public funding and they’ve waited for it. And there doesn’t seem to be public funding any place else."Professor Nola Agha
But this could change. Last month, newly inaugurated Nevada governor Joe Lombardo met with the A’s organization to discuss a potential move to Las Vegas. Lombardo was reported to not be in favor of any tax-hikes to fund a stadium project, but may be in favor of using public funding options already available in the state. A proposed tax increase was also shot down by former governor Steve Sisolak last year.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred has proactively waived relocation fees should the A’s decide on Las Vegas. The A’s Oakland Coliseum lease expires after the 2024 season so any deal would need to be made soon for a new stadium to be completed by the 2025 season.