Phil Ruffin has ownership of multiple properties in Las Vegas, including Circus Circus and the Las Vegas Festival Grounds. Now, the casino magnate is heading to meet with the Oakland Athletics.
A source told the Las Vegas Review-Journal (LVRJ) that Ruffin will be meeting with top members of the Athletics staff to discuss a potential site for a new ballpark in Las Vegas.
The 37-acre Las Vegas Festival Grounds, located on the southwest corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Avenue, is the site in question. The Athletics have been looking for a location to build a new ballpark in both Oakland and Las Vegas.
Team officials have visited Las Vegas several times to scout locations but have yet to make a decision. Oakland Athletics President Dave Kaval noted the team’s interest in the festival grounds early in the Las Vegas search process.
Kaval also noted that he's met with various casino representatives, including Ruffin. Apart from the festival grounds, the land that the Tropicana Las Vegas sits on is another potential site.
The Athletics could stay in Oakland as well, where the A's have focused on a site at the Port of Oakland’s Howard Terminal. The plans surrounding this site include a waterfront ballpark surrounded by a $12bn mixed-use development.
The team is waiting for the Oakland City Council to return from summer break later this month. Once the council returns Athletics officials are hoping the two sides can reach a binding agreement on the proposed project.
The Athletics have yet to reveal a preferred Southern Nevada location.
