RAIDERS | The notion of the Las Vegas Raiders gain a few yards toward the goal line Tuesday night. The Nevada state Senate approved tax legislation that includes financing for a new $1.9 billion stadium that one day might house the vagabond NFL team.

Nevada state senators approved the $750 million financing bill, 16-5. A two-thirds majority was needed for passage to the state Assembly.

The bill calls for steering a county hotel tax toward construction of the proposed domed stadium in downtown Las Vegas. The public subsidy, which would also fund a proposed convention center, is believed to be largest in sports history.

The vote in the Assembly is expected later this week. Although, the bill is expected to pass the Nevada Legislature and likely await Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval’s signature, other hurdles exist. Namely, whether 24 NFL owners will allow the Raiders to relocate sometime in January.

Meanwhile, Sports Business Daily reported Tuesday that the NFL may not be keen on losing the now lucrative East Bay market. NFL officials, according the report, have raised the possibility of becoming the developer for a new stadium in Oakland.

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf reiterated Monday that the city will not use public funding for a new stadium, but is amendable to footing the bill for infrastructure related to the stadium. She also refuted a statement made the same day by Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred suggesting Oakland officials favor the Oakland Athletics’ search for a new ballpark over the Raiders quest for a stadium in the East Bay.

Advertisement