Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval has signed a bill into a law that will pave the way for Las Vegas to construct an NFL stadium, the latest step in the city's bid to lure the Oakland Raiders.
Senate Bill 1, which will raise hotel taxes by up to 1.4 percentage points in and around Las Vegas, will help foot the costs for a 65,000-seat stadium that could be the future home of the Raiders.
"Las Vegas is the perfect place for an NFL team called the Las Vegas Raiders," Sandoval said during a press conference before signing the bill.
Still, NFL owners must approve any potential Raiders relocation from Oakland. Raiders owner Mark Davis attended the signing, but said he's not going to speculate on whether enough owners will jump on board with a move.
The Nevada Assembly passed the piece of legislation 28-13 last Friday. The measure needed 28 votes to pass, and Republican leaders who were trying to round up sufficient votes called for a vote Friday morning before lawmakers could have any protracted discussion about the bill.
The bill increases hotel taxes in the area to raise $750 million for a stadium partly financed by casino mogul Sheldon Adelson and more than $400 million to expand and renovate the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Along with housing an NFL franchise, the new stadium will also be the home of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
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Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf released the following statement Monday:
“The Nevada vote and the governor’s signing was something we expected. It does not mean that this is a done deal. The final decision about where the Raiders play in the future will be made by the league and its owners. Like so many of the team’s diehard fans, I believe the Raiders and Oakland have a shared identity and destiny, and keeping the team in Oakland where they were born and raised has immeasurable value to the fans, the team, the league and the city. That’s why I will continue to work to provide the Raiders and other NFL owners a viable, responsible stadium option to consider in Oakland, regardless of Nevada lawmakers’ decision.”
