Mark Davis earlier this year said he wanted to make Nevada the “Silver and Black” state. Another step in that process is expected to begin later this week or early next week. The final push towards approving the $750 million in public funds began this past weekend. There was a lot of positive buzz coming out of Las Vegas.
Governor Brian Sandoval kicked it off with this article in the Las Vegas Review Journal.
“…before us is a rare opportunity to seize the moment and raise Las Vegas — already the best in the world — to the next level of entertainment and hospitality.” – Governor Brian Sandoval.
Then Wynn Resorts CEO Steve Wynn chimed in about the stadium proposal, and the NFL in an exclusive interview with Jon Ralston.
“Make no mistake, the arrival of professional sports in [Las Vegas] is the single biggest game changer in the last [25 to 40 years]…If we miss this opportunity, we should be arrested.” – Steve Wynn, CEO Wynn Resorts
On Monday there was a large pro-stadium rally at the Thomas and Mack Center. Some the speakers included UNLV football coach Tony Sanchez, Hall of Fame Oakland Raider Howie Long, and Tommy White of Laborers International Union Local 872.
Coach Sanchez spoke about the great opportunities for UNLV. His message focused on keeping athletic recruits in the state, and also having better overall recruits.
“One day we can recruit guys like Howie Long,” – Tony Sanchez, UNLV Head Coach
Fox Sports Analyst and legendary Hall of Fame Oakland Raider Howie Long showed strong support for the project.
“To me this is a win win… a no brainer…The question is does Las Vegas want to be a part of that history?” – Howie Long, Legendary Hall of Fame Raider.
Could Nevada become the “Silver and Black” state?
That is certainly the $750 million question. The word I heard coming out of Las Vegas and Carson was all signs point to approval. Steven Hill, former chairman of the SNTIC, and executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development added a legislative tidbit. Hill said the Las Vegas Convention Center and stadium proposal would presented to the Nevada Legislature as one bill. By doing so, it ties the fate of both the LVCC, and the stadium project to one vote.
Another thing I heard was that the state Democrats were in private discussions most of the afternoon on Monday. Word coming out of that meeting was positive from what I heard. Negotiations are ongoing.
On top of that, Raider President Mark Badain basically laid it out there yesterday with his statements.
“For us, if we can get this approved and go to the league, we think it’s a slam dunk for the league to look at and say, ‘This is a solution for the Raiders and we will pursue it.’ We believe this is the deal.” – Mark Badain, Raiders President
There still are critics. Reverend Dennis Hutson of the Nevadans for the Common Good said this.
“Tying the stadium plan to the convention center is pure politics.”
It looks like green lights all the way to Carson City, the state capital. Even with the criticism, the support for this proposal has been overwhelmingly positive.
That answer should become a lot more clear by the end of next week. From what I am hearing, it’s looking like it the law makers are going to approve this. After that, should it pass, Mark Davis will take the inked deal to the NFL owners meeting October 18th for discussion. This should give the owners plenty of time to chew on the deal before the January NFL owners meeting. My sources tell me that if Nevada approves this funding, the NFL owners should approve the relocation.
Only after the January owners meeting will we know if Nevada truly becomes the “Silver and Black” state.
