If you thought the Raiders eventually relocating to Las Vegas was a pipe dream, you haven’t been listening to Jerry Jones.
The Nevada Senate approved a stadium deal in Las Vegas yesterday by a 165 vote. The project is another step forward in the Raiders possibly leaving Oakland for Las Vegas. The state Senate amended and passed the bill raising room taxes in Clark County to help fund the proposed domed stadium along with convention center improvements.
The new stadium deal will also need approval from the State General Assembly, which will meet on Thursday afternoon.
The stadium is expected to cost $1.9 billion Casino owner Sheldon Adelson has pledged $650 million. Raiders owner Mark Davis is expected to pay $500 million. The next order of business is laying out the publicly funded piece of the pie
In order for the Raiders to relocate, three-fourths of NFL owners will need to approve the bounce out of Oakland. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has previously voiced his support for the new deal. The owners will resume talks on the topic during their January meetings.
Critics of the deal, with Nevada facing a potential $400 million budget shortfall in the next budget cycle, say that the state has more pressing needs for its tax dollars, specifically education and human services.
