AEG president and CEO Tim Leiweke could push the possibility of the National Football League‘s Oakland Raiders moving to Las Vegas over the top.
Matt Youmans of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that Leiweke has involved himself in the city’s bid to lure the Raiders. His connections and experience make him a vital partner in this movement, and the group spear-heading the bid is using him as a consultant.
Tim Leiweke Adds Momentum to Raiders’ Las Vegas Hopes
Leiweke is the older brother of Tod Leiweke, the COO of the NFL. He is a former colleague of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Eric Grubman, the NFL’s VP of Business Operations. Leiweke was pivotal in getting deals done for the Staples Center and T-Mobile Arena. Leiweke also holds the title of CEO for the Oak View Group, which is currently engaged in a partnership to build a new venue for concerts in Las Vegas. Additionally, he is working as a consultant for David Beckham‘s group that is trying to get a new MLS stadium in South Florida.
Leiweke’s involvement is timely for an idea that already seemed to be gaining momentum. This past Thursday, the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee met to review plans for a 65,000-seat stadium that would be constructed near The Strip in Las Vegas. Raiders home games would be the primary activity, but Leiweke estimates that 50-60 other events year-round could be hosted by the stadium upon completion.
That proposal calls for $1.4 billion in funding, split nearly evenly between private and public money, $750 million in public funds and $650 million in private money. The Raiders, with help from the NFL, would provide $500 million. The Las Vegas Sands Corporation and Majestic Realty would pony up the other $150 million. Getting the $750 million would ultimately require approval from the Nevada State Legislature, and there are many hurdles to cross before a vote would hit the floor there.
While momentum is building, that doesn’t mean an announcement by the Raiders is imminent. There are concerns about whether or not Las Vegas can sustain an NFL franchise over time given its population and population mobility.
Overall, however, the arrow seems to be pointing up on the project. It’s no secret that the Raiders want to get out of their current stadium situation. The proposed stadium would be one more venue for year-round events of all kinds in Las Vegas, and it could even serve as a new home for UNLV football.
Raider fans in California who have dismissed this movement as mere fantasizing up to this point had better start taking this seriously.
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