The Oakland Athletics have yet to agree upon a set amount allocated to its stadium funding in Las Vegas with Nevada legislators, as the MLB franchise looks to leave the Bay Area by the end of the season.
The A’s are seeking $395million in public funds to build a $1.5 billion stadium on the Tropicana lot owned by Gaming & Leisure Properties Inc. and managed by Bally’s.
What’s more is that the A’s would receive a free nine acres of the land space – worth an estimated $180M – from Bally’s, depending on the team finding middle ground with the Nevada legislature.
The A’s were believed to be bargaining for $320M, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal, with the nine-time World Series champions also negotiating with Clark County over the remaining $75M.
However, legislators only agree to provide $150-$195M in funding, the Nevada Independent reported.
The owners of the Tropicana hope that a deal reached with the A’s pledging nine acres on the Las Vegas Strip free of charge will help push a $1.5 billion MLB ballpark project to completion
The A’s, however, have yet to agree on a set amount in public funds with Nevada legislators
State legislators were then said to be only willing to issue $195million, according to Fox5 Las Vegas, though the state could prescribe a mandate to Clark County for a $125M bond.
Nevada’s legislature is in the final stretch of a six-week session that is held every two years. A funding bill of this nature would be exempt from a deadline that has passed for bills to be introduced and passed out of their first committees.
In April, Nevada Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo said he remained committed to a campaign promise not to raise taxes, a spokesperson said in a public statement.
‘The prospect of bringing new jobs, more economic development, and an exceptional MLB team to Las Vegas is exciting on many levels,’ Lombardo said. ‘As we continue to navigate this opportunity, I’m in regular communication with the A’s, Major League Baseball, legislative leadership, and local and state stakeholders.’
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo said he’d approve the A’s move to Las Vegas if it doesn’t raise taxes
Others were generally supportive while speaking in broad terms.
Democratic Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager noted the city’s recent success in hosting sports teams.
‘It’s important we consider both the benefits and impacts to Las Vegas and the state,’ Yeager added.
Republican Senate Minority Leader Heidi Seevers Gansert made a similar remark in a statement that also said she looks forward to reviewing the proposal.
Republican Assemblywoman Danielle Gallant said her caucus will ‘continue to support our governor as he navigates potential ways to diversify our economy and bolster the existing industries that make Nevada unique.’
The A’s were set to build a new stadium in the 49-acre Red Rock Resorts site in the Las Vegas suburb of Paradise but switched to the Tropicana site late in the process.