The Oakland Athletics have made it clear to the Las Vegas Stadium Authority that they do not plan on utilizing the entire $380 million in public funds that were allocated to build a new stadium in Las Vegas. Sandy Dean, an executive with the A’s, stated that the club intends to use $350 million of the public funds, leaving $30 million unused. In addition to this, the A’s plan to finance $300 million of the stadium cost, although no lenders have been secured as of yet. Dean mentioned that there has been interest from several companies looking to be part of this financing package. The remaining $850 million necessary for the $1.5 billion stadium project would come from private equity investors. Galatioto Sports Partners, a New York-based firm, has been recruited to help in the search for potential investors.
During the meeting with the Stadium Authority, the possibility of a 30-year non-relocation agreement was discussed but has not been acted upon yet. The A’s have also made a request to play up to seven games over two years in international locations or at special U.S. venues like the Field of Dreams in Iowa, as opposed to these games being played in Las Vegas. Out of the seven requested games, no more than four games in a year would be played outside the Las Vegas area. The A’s have expressed their desire to have the 33,000-seat stadium ready for the 2028 season.
The financing for the stadium is intended to complement the public funding that was approved by the Nevada Legislature and signed by Governor Joe Lombardo. The President and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, Steve Hill, expressed confidence that the financing would be in place for the stadium project owned by John Fisher. The lease agreement is set to be discussed at an upcoming stadium authority meeting, with votes expected to happen later in the year. Despite the tight timeline, Hill is optimistic that the ballpark will be completed as scheduled. He emphasized that Las Vegas has a track record of efficiently completing major projects such as the Allegiant Stadium in less time than what the A’s have budgeted for their new stadium.
The template used for the construction of the Allegiant Stadium, home of the NFL’s Raiders, is being followed by the stadium authority for the A’s stadium project. This includes the implementation of personal seat licenses (PSLs) that were successful in generating nearly $550 million for the Raiders. Although the A’s have PSLs at their disposal, the decision on where and how to offer them for purchase has not been finalized yet. Dean highlighted the differences between football and baseball in terms of ticket sales and revenue generation. He mentioned that the extended baseball season provides more value to individual season ticket holders compared to football.
As the Oakland Athletics prepare to bid farewell to Oakland and embark on a new journey in Las Vegas, the planning and financing for their new stadium project are key components that will shape their future in the city. With creative approaches to funding and revenue generation, the A’s are positioning themselves for a successful transition to their new home. The commitment to providing a unique fan experience with outward-facing views and potential game venues further adds to the excitement surrounding this stadium project. The future looks promising for the A’s as they make strides towards establishing themselves in Las Vegas and creating a lasting impact in the community.
Leave a Reply