Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval today is scheduled to sign into law an "increase in Clark County's hotel room tax to help finance a 65,000-seat domed stadium, clearing the path" for a Raiders' move to Las Vegas, according to Whaley & Chereb of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. A supermajority of Nevada lawmakers on Friday passed the bill, which "includes a separate hotel room tax increase to help fund" $1.4B in improvements to the Las Vegas Convention Center. Under the proposal, Las Vegas Sands Chair & CEO Sheldon Adelson will contribute $650M toward the stadium project, the Raiders will kick in $500M and the remaining $750M "would be funded by bonds backed by the room tax increase." Whaley & Chereb noted the "big question Friday was whether there were enough votes in the Assembly." There was "no shortage of drama in the marathon session" that started shortly after 8:00am PT on Thursday and did not end until 1:00am Friday. Meanwhile, UNLV, which would play its football games at the proposed stadium, also "gets three additional event days, for graduations or other events" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/15). In Reno, Seth Richardson noted the $750M is the "largest public contribution to a stadium in history" (RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL, 10/15).
JUST WIN, BABY: Raiders Owner Mark Davis in a statement said, "All parties have worked extremely hard to develop and approve this tremendous stadium project that will serve as a proud new home for the entire Raider Nation." In S.F., Melody Gutierrez noted the Raiders "need three-quarters of NFL team owners to approve a move to Las Vegas -- a vote that could happen in January when team owners meet." Former Raiders CEO Amy Trask said that the team is "better suited than many other teams to do well in Las Vegas, a relatively small market by NFL standards, due to the Raiders' large fan base that extends far beyond the Bay Area and often travels to see the team play" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 10/15). Davis said that he "plans to play the next two seasons" at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, "even if the team gets the green light from the NFL to move to Las Vegas." Davis: "We want to bring a Super Bowl championship back to the Bay Area" (ESPN.com, 10/15).
MOOD SWING: In Las Vegas, Messerly & Valley noted opposition to the bill "came from both the most conservative and most progressive ends of the Assembly." Las Vegas Sands Senior VP/Government Relations & Community Development Andy Abboud said that he "believes the 'whole mood changes' with regard to the stadium project, now that it's secured legislative approval." Abboud: "Even the 'no' people will consolidate behind the stadium" (LAS VEGAS SUN, 10/15). Nevada DOT Dir Rudy Malfabon on Friday said the agency will "start studying which projects within Clark County should be delayed in order to accelerate freeway improvements surrounding two potential sites for a domed stadium" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/15).
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: The RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL's Richardson noted independent sports economists "questioned the projected numbers and whether the defense that 'Las Vegas is different' would mean anything in the world of sporting economics." Stanford economist Roger Noll called Las Vegas' contribution the "worst deal he's ever seen for a city." Smith College economist Andrew Zimbalist added, "If you think it's worth it socially, culturally to have a football team, then it's fine to vote for it. We're not saying it's bad. Just don't do it if you think it's an economic benefit. It's an economic cost" (RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL, 10/15). Top Rank Chair Bob Arum said, "The stadium going through is fantastic for the town, and it's going to really make it a big league town." He added, "What a wonderful thing to have in town for boxing. If we get another Mayweather-Pacquiao type of fight, it would draw 40,000 to 60,000 people here. Just the way [Cowboys Owner] Jerry Jones got 50,000 to come in for a second-tier Canelo (Alvarez) fight" at AT&T Stadium. Arum: "I really believe Jerry, Robert Kraft and [Rams Owner] Stan Kroenke will make it happen. They are three owners who support the move" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/16). Former NFLer and Vegas native Randall Cunningham said, "Las Vegas needs something to grab a hold onto, and I think if it's a professional football team, I think we would grab a hold onto them. ... I don't think the (players) are going to come here and get in trouble and things like that. I think what it's going to do is it's going to build the community" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/16).
