The $380 million public funding bill for a new stadium on the Las Vegas Strip for the Oakland Athletics has successfully passed through all legislative processes in Nevada. The next crucial step involves gaining approval from the other 29 team owners of Major League Baseball (MLB) for the team’s relocation efforts.
After being approved by the Nevada Senate and Assembly, the bill received amendments and was signed by Governor Joe Lombardo. Lombardo, a strong supporter of bringing the A’s to Las Vegas, was expected to sign the bill.
In response to the signing, the Athletics released a statement expressing their gratitude and excitement about securing a new home in Las Vegas. They now intend to begin the process of applying for relocation with MLB.
Legislature of Nevada
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has shown support for the A’s move, indicating that MLB owners are likely to approve the proposed relocation. The primary challenge remaining for A’s owner John Fisher is to secure the remaining funding for the $1.2 billion project.
The public funding bill includes up to $380 million in public assistance, with $180 million in transferable tax credits and $120 million in county bonds. The A’s would not owe property taxes and a special tax district around the stadium would be carved out.
It’s important to note that the funding bill is not exclusive to the Athletics. If the A’s fail to secure the necessary funding and do not relocate to Las Vegas, the package could be used by another MLB franchise seeking relocation or for an expansion team.
Rendering for the proposed A's stadium
The proposed 30,000-seat ballpark, which would replace the Tropicana Las Vegas hotel, was unveiled by the Athletics last month. The stadium deal involves demolishing the Tropicana and constructing the new ballpark alongside a new hotel and casino.
The A’s aim to move into the new Las Vegas ballpark by 2027. Their lease at RingCentral Coliseum in Oakland expires after the 2024 season, leaving them to find a temporary home for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. The NFL’s Raiders already moved from Oakland to Las Vegas in 2020, and the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights joined the league as an expansion team in 2017.
The approval of the Las Vegas stadium funding bill by Governor Lombardo implies a significant milestone for the potential move of the Oakland A’s to Las Vegas. The retractable roof baseball stadium has an estimated price tag of $1.5 billion.
