The Oakland A’s are negotiating with Nevada legislators in an attempt to bridge a significant gap in stadium funding.
The team seeks $395 million in public funds to construct a $1.5 billion stadium on the Tropicana lot owned by Gaming & Leisure Properties Inc. and managed by Bally’s. In turn, Bally’s would give the A’s a free 9 acres of the lot — which they estimate at a $180 million value — contingent on the team striking a deal with the Nevada legislature.
On Thursday, the Las Vegas Review Journal said that $320 million has been promised thus far, and that the A’s are negotiating with Clark County over the remaining $75 million. But the same day, the Nevada Independent reported legislators only promised $150 million to $195 million.
Fox5 Las Vegas reported that state legislators will only commit $195 million, but the state could mandate that Clark County supply a $125 million bond.
A funding bill has been delayed by the ongoing negotiations and the A’s switch from the 49-acre Red Rock Resorts site to the Tropicana late in the process.
Nevada’s legislative session ends on June 5. It’s unclear whether the governor would call a special session to continue negotiations past that date.
Oakland mayor Sheng Thao reiterated this week that the city’s negotiations with the A’s were close to a deal when the team pivoted to Las Vegas — and that an agreement could come together quickly if the team returned to the negotiating table.
