The Athletics have released the first renderings for their proposed new stadium in Las Vegas that includes a partially retractable roof and a seating capacity of 30,000.
The course will be located on nine acres at the Tropicana Las Vegas Resort site at the south end of The Strip.
“We are excited to share our vision for a potential new home for the A,” Dave Kaval, president of The A, said in a statement. “As our first concept design, we will continue to improve the look and feel of the stadium over the next year. We hope our project will go beyond a traditional playground and serve as a catalyst for community development and participation.”
Earlier this month, the A’s agreed a deal with Bally’s Corp – a gaming, betting and entertainment company – to build a $1.5 billion stadium in Las Vegas. The team announced in April that it had signed a “binding agreement” to build a 49-acre site owned by Red Rock Resorts, near Allegiant Stadium and the Strip, with the hope of having a new stadium ready for the start of the 2027 season.
Under the previously announced deal, the team was seeking $500 million in public funding for the $1.5 billion project. The new agreement is expected to lower that number to $395 million, according to reports.
On Wednesday, Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo announced that a preliminary agreement had been reached between his office, the athletics organization, Treasurer Zack Conine, and Clark County officials to introduce a funding bill to move the MLB team to Las Vegas. The Bill is being drafted for submission to the Nevada legislature for consideration and approval, According to a press release.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said Thursday in Milwaukee that a vote on the Athletics’ upcoming move could happen as early as June 13-15 when MLB owners meet in New York.
When asked if there was any chance of the team staying in Oakland, Manfred said, “You have to ask the mayor.”
(Mayor Sheng Thao) said she broke off negotiations after an announcement was made in Las Vegas. “I don’t have a crystal ball where anything goes,” Manfred said. “There is no final deal done in Las Vegas. We’ll have to see how that plays out.”
After the April announcement, Thao apparently closed the door on the team securing a new stadium deal in his current city.
“I am deeply disappointed that the A’s have chosen not to negotiate with the City of Oakland as a true partner, in a way that respects the longstanding relationship between the fans, the city and the team,” Thao said in a statement at the time. . “At a time of budget deficit, I refuse to compromise the safety and well-being of our residents. Given these realities, we are halting negotiations and moving forward with alternatives to redevelop Howard Station.”
Las Vegas would be the franchise’s fourth city if the proposed move takes place. The first band played in Philadelphia from 1901 to 1954 and Kansas City from 1955 to 1967 before moving to Oakland in 1968.
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(Photo above: Courtesy of the Oakland Athletics)
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