• Loading stock data...
Friday, May 9, 2025
Join us May 14 at 1 p.m. ET for Future of Sports: Leagues of Their Own Register Now

Judge Tosses A’s Stadium Referendum, But Las Vegas Battle To Continue

  • Referendum to get public stadium funding on the ballot described as “deficient”
  • Education advocacy group now has option to appeal ruling or rewrite referendum
D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland A’s and MLB have won an early legal battle in the franchise’s planned relocation to Las Vegas, but an education advocacy group vowed to keep challenging the public funding earmarked for it.

Schools Over Stadiums, a political action committee linked to the Nevada State Education Association, has sought to force a public vote in November 2024 on $380 million in previously approved public funding for a $1.5 billion stadium on the Las Vegas Strip. The initiative generated enough early notice that commissioner Rob Manfred conveyed some public concern about it.

But in a ruling from the bench, Nevada district court judge James Russell called the referendum measure “legally deficient” as currently constructed. “It does not provide the full text of the measure …. when gathering the necessary signatures as mandated by the Nevada Constitution,” Russell said.

The legal challenge was brought by a pair of labor leaders supporting the stadium.

Still Fighting

Schools Over Stadiums now has two choices: appeal the decision to the Nevada Supreme Court or resubmit a new referendum petition. 

A decision hasn’t been made, but there are still nine months before a July 2024 deadline to get on next November’s ballot. The group ultimately will need to collect at least 25,647 signatures from each of the state’s four congressional districts.

“We’re undeterred and still committed to giving Nevada voters the opportunity to decide whether their tax dollars are used to subsidize a billionaire’s stadium,” Schools Over Stadiums said.

MLB team owners remain set to vote on the A’s move at league meetings planned for Nov. 14-16 in Arlington, Texas, with the necessary 75% approval threshold expected to be cleared easily. If approved, the relocation will represent MLB’s second franchise shift since 1971. 

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Curry

Brady, Curry, Ohtani Get Most Claims Dropped in FTX Endorser Suit

The judge did call the endorsers “uninformed, negligent, or even reckless.”

NFL Nears Deal for YouTube Game That Could Break Streaming Records

YouTube closing in on a deal to show a game from Brazil.

Roku’s $10M MLB Deal Resumes Despite ESPN Drama

Early Sunday games begin with a high-profile Cubs-Mets matchup.

Paige Bueckers Dispels Doubts, Praises Dallas Wings Organization

The Wings selected Bueckers with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft.

Featured Today

Mar 26, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Actor and filmmaker Spike Lee (l) greets former professional boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. during the game between the LA Clippers and the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

‘Friends of the Garden’: Inside the NBA’s Most Exclusive Celebrity Suite

“Among the titans of industry, deals are done at Suite 200.”
exclusive
May 9, 2025

Shams Charania on Draft, Breaking Dončić Trade, ‘Whirlwind’ ESPN Tenure

Charania will work on his first NBA draft lottery for ESPN on Monday.
Fat Perez reacts after hitting his shot on the 16th tee during the WHOOP Shot at Glory on the 16th hole at TPC in Scottsdale on Feb. 5, 2025.
May 7, 2025

Golf Influencers Are the New Currency for PGA Tour and LIV

YouTube golf is big business. The rival tours are staging formal events.
Feb 8, 2025; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks assistant coach Rick Brunson talks with New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11), forward Mikal Bridges (25), and guard Josh Hart (3) during a timeout in the third quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden.
May 6, 2025

Before the Villanova Knicks, There Were the Kentucky Celtics

Three decades ago, Boston tried its own version of the college-teammate experiment.
White Sox

Pope Confirmed White Sox Fan After False Cubs Claims

Pope Leo XIV’s brother confirmed the pontiff is a White Sox fan.
PSG
May 8, 2025

PSG in Champions League Final After Shedding Nine-Figure Superstar Salaries

PSG previously tried to win with a trio of Neymar, Messi, and Mbappé. 
Feb 13, 2018; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville reacts in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena.
May 8, 2025

Joel Quenneville Back in NHL After Ban for Blackhawks Scandal

The former Chicago coach was banned from the NHL until last year.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Portfolio Players is our bi-weekly spotlight on the athletes and investors reshaping the business of sports. This week, venture capitalist Kai Cunningham unpacks why athletes land top deals and how the usual investing rules don’t always apply.
May 8, 2025

Celtics-Knicks Game 3 Tickets Near Super Bowl Prices

Game 3 against the Celtics has resale ticket prices beginning around $700.
May 8, 2025

Reeling Cavs Have NBA’s Third-Most-Expensive Roster Next Season

Cleveland trails the Pacers, 2–0, in the conference semifinals.
Jayson Tatum
May 8, 2025

The All-In Celtics Are Suddenly on the Brink

The defending champions find themselves down 2–0 and facing an expensive future.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) raises the Lamar Hunt Trophy with tight end Travis Kelce (87) after the AFC championship NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs on Jan. 29, 2023, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
May 7, 2025

F1 Team Part-Owned by Mahomes, Kelce Makes Changes Amid Struggle

Alpine is ninth in the constructors’ championship.