Nevada Athletics Stadium Nears Final Approval

Despite the passionate efforts of fans, it appears that the Oakland Athletics’ relocation to Las Vegas is on the horizon. On Wednesday, a significant milestone was reached as the Nevada Assembly voted to approve the final version of the bill for a proposed 30,000-seat baseball stadium on the Las Vegas Strip. The legislation now awaits the governor’s signature and approval from MLB, which are both expected to be granted.

With a vote of 25-15, the Assembly approved $380 million in public funding for the project, which is estimated to cost $1.5 billion. The Assembly made some modifications to the Senate-approved measure, shifting funds from homeless programs to support low-income housing instead.

These recent legislative developments unfolded against the backdrop of notable sports events. The Senate’s initial approval coincided with a “reverse boycott” by Bay Area fans aiming to keep the team in Oakland. Additionally, the Vegas Golden Knights secured the Stanley Cup.

On Wednesday night, as the Athletics’ winning streak came to an end, the Senate unanimously accepted the Assembly’s changes, designating the bill as an “emergency measure” before sending it to the governor’s desk.

Under the finalized measure, the Athletics would be exempt from property taxes for the publicly owned stadium. Clark County, encompassing Las Vegas, would also contribute an additional $25 million in credits towards infrastructure expenses.

Democratic Reno Assemblywoman Selena La Rue Hatch expressed her opposition to the bill, citing the lack of funding for overcrowded classrooms and inadequate childcare services while individuals experience homelessness. She stated her concerns about allocating millions of public dollars to a billionaire and voted against the bill.

In response to the legislative progress, the Athletics issued a statement on Wednesday night, expressing gratitude to Nevada legislators for their diligence and attention to detail. The team expressed anticipation for Governor Lombardo’s signature, but did not directly address the hopes of fans wishing to retain the team in Oakland.

The proposed stadium, expected to be the smallest in MLB, would be located near the T-Mobile Arena, home to the Vegas Golden Knights, and in close proximity to Allegiant Stadium, where the Raiders relocated from Oakland. This relocation has been a sore point for many Bay Area sports enthusiasts.