Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said that “plenty is happening” to bring an MLB team to the region, although he said that he “would not call owners of teams in any sport facing stadium or arena difficulties,” according to Mark Anderson of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. Goodman: “We’ve reserved (the 61-acre downtown site) for five years in anticipation of having a team here. I’ve talked to the private sector about financing, and I’m confident there are some creative ways of financing (with little public money). But I’m not going to build a stadium and hope they will come. I also am not particularly interested in building a minor league stadium capable of expanding.” Goodman said that any team considering a move “would first have to contact” him. Goodman: “If we had a team and the mayor of another city wanted the team, I would resent it. It wouldn’t be ethical or moral.” Anderson noted the Marlins, Twins and A’s all are trying to get new ballparks, and MLB President & COO Bob DuPuy said in an e-mail, “I have had some talks with team and local officials. No one has given up on (a) new ballpark” (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 7/17). In N.Y., Richard Sandomir reported Goodman objects to a ballpark or arena being built anywhere other than the downtown site. Goodman “knows how he will finance a stadium or an arena, but will not divulge it.” Goodman: “It will be cutting edge, and make everyone happy” (N.Y. TIMES, 7/17).
