Oakland A's face more challenges with Las Vegas move

OAKLAND, Calif. - The Oakland A's are running into additional funding problems as they try to make a move to Las Vegas. 

The Nevada Independent broke the news that lawmakers there have not yet introduced legislation that would green-light public money to build a new stadium along the Strip.

Nevada's lawmakers are only willing to contribute $195 million for the ballpark, not the $395 million the A's are seeking. Plus, the clock is ticking to approve a funding package, with just 20 days left in the Nevada legislative session.

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao is talking like there’s still hope the A’s will remain rooted here. But she added that if the city and team can make up and move forward, it would be two years of construction before the Howard Terminal site would be ready to play ball.

"We were actually very close to a deal," Thao said on Thursday. "Whether under current ownership or new ownership, we are ready to move forward with negotiations again."

• A's now have two 'binding' ballpark agreements
• Agreement set to expire between Port of Oakland and A's

Reporter Tabitha Mueller with the Nevada Independent provided insight into the troubles facing the Athletics.

"I don't think we can say right now. I think it's a matter of when that legislation comes through…there are folks that are interested in the Legislature, saying that there may be willing to give anywhere from $150 to $195 million in transferable tax credit," Mueller said.

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Initially, the A's were focused on one site there in Las Vegas, before they shifted over to wanting to build at the site near the Tropicana Hotel. Mueller said according to sources familiar with the situation the switch could be a possible issue.

"The A's flip-flopping on a stadium site and not having a concrete solution or not having a concrete proposal is part of the hold up here," Mueller said.

The Oakland A's first asked for $500 million in public funding before dialing back to $395 million.

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"I think part of it as well comes down to them being able to get the Tropicana site for free as a gift from the owners of it," said Mueller.

It's possible that both houses of the Legislature could approve a funding package before the June 5 deadline, Mueller said.

Still, there is still a chance for a special legislative session if a decision is not made before the deadline. 

"I don't think anyone is very excited about [having a special legislative session] because [Nevada legislative session] meet for 120 days every two years…to go into a special session in a year when we already had a regular session is going to cost the taxpayers more money," Mueller said.