A New Chapter for Nevada Sports
The Oakland Athletics officially broke ground on their new $1.75 billion ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip this week. It’s a moment that marks Nevada’s rise as a true sports capital.
This matters because it shows how Las Vegas keeps attracting major league teams. The city that once had no major sports now has four professional franchises. That’s quite a transformation.
The Big Day
On Monday, June 23, the Athletics held their official groundbreaking ceremony for a 33,000-seat ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip. Team owner John Fisher stood before a crowd and declared, “We are Vegas’ team.”
Governor Joe Lombardo was there to celebrate, posting on social media:
“Today, we officially broke ground on the new @Athletics ballpark right off of the iconic Las Vegas Strip! We’re so excited to embark on this exciting new chapter with the @MLB and A’s. Nevada is ready to get to work and play ball!”
Today, we officially broke ground on the new @Athletics ballpark right off of the iconic Las Vegas Strip!
We’re so excited to embark on this exciting new chapter with the @MLB and A’s.
Nevada is ready to get to work and play ball! pic.twitter.com/dcagS5AQEc
— Governor Joe Lombardo (@JosephMLombardo) June 24, 2025
The Republican governor followed up the next day, tweeting:
“Exciting news: Construction has officially begun on the new ballpark for the Las Vegas Athletics! This project will create thousands of good-paying jobs, boost our economy, and generate millions for Nevada. Let’s play ball!”
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred was also on hand for the ceremony. Former Athletics greats like Rollie Fingers and Dave Stewart attended, along with Little Leaguers and local dignitaries.
Exciting news: Construction has officially begun on the new ballpark for the Las Vegas Athletics!
This project will create thousands of good-paying jobs, boost our economy, and generate millions for Nevada. Let’s play ball! pic.twitter.com/RQ4BLEh9Wl
— Governor Joe Lombardo (@JosephMLombardo) June 24, 2025
What Nevada Gets
The stadium sits where the old Tropicana hotel used to stand. Those resort towers came down in an overnight demolition last October to make way for the ballpark.
This will be MLB’s smallest stadium at 33,000 seats. But it comes with some impressive features. The design has five overlapping layers that look like Australia’s Sydney Opera House. A glass window beyond the outfield provides views of the Las Vegas Strip. Instead of one big cooling system, air conditioning will be distributed through the seats to beat the desert heat.
The project is expected to create 14,000 construction jobs. Team president Marc Badain, who helped bring the Raiders to Las Vegas, said he has “no doubt this is done in 2028.”
The A’s will become the fourth major professional team in Las Vegas, joining the Raiders, Golden Knights, and Aces. Not bad for a city that had zero major league teams just a decade ago.
The Money Side
The stadium costs $1.75 billion total. Nevada and Clark County approved up to $380 million in public funds for the project. The rest comes from private money.
Here’s how the public funding works. Clark County will issue $120 million in bonds, plus another $25 million for infrastructure. A special tax district around the stadium will collect certain taxes to pay off those bonds. No new taxes will be raised. The money comes from economic activity generated by the stadium itself.
Clark County commissioners unanimously approved the Sports and Entertainment Improvement District in April. Tax dollars collected in that nine-acre area will pay down the debt. Once the bonds are paid off, tax money returns to normal uses.
For conservatives who worry about government spending, this structure puts the risk on the economic success of the project rather than general taxpayers. If the stadium generates business, the bonds get paid. If not, the shortfall doesn’t come from your property taxes or income taxes.
The Opposition’s View
Not everyone was happy about the deal.
Schools Over Stadiums, backed by the Nevada State Education Association, fought hard against the funding.
“Instead of ensuring tax dollars continue to support public education and vital community services, commissioners voted to create a special tax district that funnels money to a California billionaire,” said Alexander Marks with the group.
Their point makes sense from a priorities standpoint. Nevada ranks 48th in public education funding. The state has large class sizes and high teacher vacancy rates. Some folks think that money should go to schools first.
The teachers’ union tried to put the question on the ballot so voters could decide. The Nevada Supreme Court blocked that effort in May, saying the ballot language was too complex and misleading.
“Schools Over Stadiums remains committed to stopping Nevada tax dollars from paying for a stadium for a California billionaire, and we are disappointed Nevada voters will not have their say in 2024,” Marks said after the court ruling.
They plan to try again in 2026.
Different Views on Economic Impact
Stadium economics is a hot topic among experts.
Supporters point to Las Vegas’ track record. The Raiders brought national attention and economic activity. The Golden Knights helped put Las Vegas on the map as a sports city. Adding baseball creates year-round sports tourism.
Steve Hill of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority has been the main person bringing pro sports to Nevada. He argues these teams boost the city’s profile and bring visitors who spend money at hotels, restaurants, and other businesses.
Critics say stadium deals rarely pay off for taxpayers. Victor Matheson, a sports economist, noted that the Athletics were one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball. “The fact that anyone gave them a dime when the team has literally nowhere else to go is the worst bargaining in the world,” he said.
But that battle is over now. The deal is done. Construction has started.
What Happens Next
The stadium should open in time for the 2028 season. That gives contractors 32 months to finish the job.
The A’s are playing at a Triple-A ballpark in West Sacramento through 2027 while their Las Vegas home gets built. It’s not ideal, but it’s temporary.
Bally’s Corporation will build a new resort on the remaining 26 acres of the Tropicana site. So the area will have both baseball and a new hotel-casino.
The team gets a 30-year, rent-free lease. They also have the option to buy the stadium down the road.
The Conservative Take
For limited government folks, this deal has good and bad parts.
The good: It’s not a direct taxpayer subsidy. The bonds get paid from economic activity at the stadium site. If the project fails, general taxpayers aren’t on the hook.
The bad: Government is still picking winners and losers. Private businesses should use private money. And the legislative process avoided the normal two-thirds vote requirement for tax issues.
But here’s the reality. Las Vegas competes with other cities for major league teams. Those other cities offer public money too. If Nevada wants to play in that game, this is how it works.
The question now is whether the stadium delivers on its promises. Will it create jobs? Will it boost tourism? Will the economic activity pay off the bonds?
We’ll find out over the next few years.
Looking Ahead
Nevada has become a major player in professional sports. The Raiders, Golden Knights, Aces, and soon the Athletics. Formula 1 races on the Strip. The city hosts major boxing matches and UFC events.
Governor Lombardo sees this as economic development. More teams mean more visitors. More visitors mean more jobs and tax revenue.
The A’s stadium represents the latest chapter in that story. Whether you love it or hate it, Las Vegas is now a sports town.
The battle over public funding is over. The teams are here. The construction is underway.
Time to see if it all works out.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
