Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo and state lawmakers have responded favorably to a pending deal for the Oakland A’s to build a $1bn Las Vegas baseball stadium, according to a local report in The Nevada Independent.
According to multiple sources, the binding agreement “will not involve new taxes” and will involve the A’s covering the costs for the retractable-roof stadium. The new venue would be able to seat between 30,000 and 35,000 fans.
Once completed, the new baseball stadium with reside north of Allegiant Stadium near Tropicana Boulevard.
The estimated cost of the project will come to nearly $1.5bn, according to the local report.
Governor Lombardo described the pending deal as “great news” and told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that giving the team a new home in Las Vegas could bring with it potential benefits citywide.
He said: “Welcoming the A’s to Las Vegas would be great news for Southern Nevada as well as our entire state. The prospect of bringing new jobs, more economic development and a historic MLB franchise to Las Vegas is exciting on many levels.
“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.”
The team has considered moving to the Las Vegas Valley for the better part of two years.
However, Oakland’s mayor has questioned the team’s motive for the length transition.
The mayor released a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle saying: "Yet, it is clear to me that the A’s have no intention of staying in Oakland and have simply been using this process to try to extract a better deal out of Las Vegas.
“I am not interested in continuing to play that game – the fans and our residents deserve better."
