Sports
Vegas, Baby, Vegas! Nevada Legislature Approves Raiders Stadium Funding
Raiders owner Mark Davis has pledged $500 million toward the cost. Oakland remains hopeful to retain team.
CARSON CITY, NV — The Nevada Assembly voted Friday to approve a bill to spend $750 million in public funds to help build a new football stadium in Las Vegas aimed at luring the Oakland Raiders there.
After a lengthy debate, the Assembly voted 28-13 in favor of the bill.
The Nevada Senate passed the bill by a 16-5 margin on Thursday.
The bill now goes to Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval, who has indicated that he will support the deal.
The bill raises hotel room taxes to help fund a $1.9 billion stadium that's backed by casino owner Sheldon Anderson.
Find out what's happening in Martinezfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Raiders owner Mark Davis has pledged to contribute $500 million toward the cost of building the stadium and Sheldon reportedly has promised to contribute $650 million.
"I would like to thank Governor Sandoval, the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee and the members of the Nevada Legislature on this historic day," Davis said in a statement.
Find out what's happening in Martinezfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"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," Davis said.
Oakland Mayor Schaaf said earlier this week that she is still hopeful that an agreement can be reached to build a new football stadium in Oakland that would keep the Raiders in the city for the long term.
The Raiders signed a lease extension agreement in April that keeps the team at the Oakland Coliseum at least through the end of this year and possibly for two additional years.
Davis has explored the possibility of moving the team to several cities in recent years.
Before looking at Las Vegas, he first considered moving to San Antonio and then made a serious bid to build a new stadium in the Los Angeles area and move the team there.
But that proposal was rejected by National Football League owners at a meeting in January.
Three-fourths of the owners of the NFL's 32 teams must approve any proposal to move a team.
To see more renderings of proposed stadium from Manica Architecture, follow this link.
Also see:
- Broadcaster Vin Scully Ends Career From AT&T Park
- Good News, Raider Nation! Team To Stay In Oakland Through 2016 Season
-Bay City News; Rendering via Manica Architecture