NOTE: This story has been updated from previous versions. More details below.
We woke up Thursday thinking it could be the day the A's future was decided. Of course, we have to wait some more, as this stadium saga has dragged on for more than two decades now. Now, the earliest a vote could come is Monday.
The team is in the middle of a special session with Nevada lawmakers, which started on Wednesday with a forgettable appearance by team president Dave Kaval, who was later called a “walking, talking bobblehead” by a former A’s executive.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported a vote from the Nevada senate was expected to take place Thursday on a proposed 30,000-seat ballpark on The Strip. But the senate and assembly didn't consider the bill Thursday, after amendments were being worked out in the bill language following a marathon nine-hour session on Wednesday.
Both the senate and the assembly have adjourned until Monday, meaning this odyssey will go until next week.
Nevada lawmakers are considering Senate Bill 1 (SB1), which is a copy of SB509, proposing a $1.5 billion stadium on a nine-acre lot currently occupied by the Tropicana Hotel. The A's are asking for up to $380 million in public financing, along with a free land deal (about $180 million), property tax breaks and $175 million from land owner Gaming and Leisure Properties (GLPI) for "shared improvements."
SB509 was introduced on May 26 and didn’t pass its initial committee hearings on Memorial Day, during the regular 120-day legislative session. Yet lawmakers are working overtime in the special session, which was called by Gov. Joe Lombardo.
The Nevada senate features 21 members, so 11 votes will be required. If at least 11 ‘YES’ votes occur, the bill will be passed on to the Nevada assembly for further consideration and another vote. If at least 11 ‘NO’ votes occur, the A’s plans for Vegas are scrapped.
Sean Golonka of the Nevada Independent provided a breakdown of the legislative steps that would take place before the proposed 30,000-seat ballpark on The Strip becomes a reality.
For the A's stadium bill to get to Gov. Lombardo's desk, this is likely the overarching path during the special session: Senate COW hearing, Senate COW vote, Senate vote, Assembly COW hearing, Assembly COW vote, Assembly vote, gov's desk.
— Sean Golonka (@s_golonka) June 7, 2023
If the bill is approved by the senate, there’s a good chance it will be approved by the assembly. At that point, Lombardo’s signature would likely be a formality, as he’s the one who called this special session in order.
The A’s are hoping to figure out a ballpark solution this year – whether it be in Sin City or at Howard Terminal in Oakland – before getting removed from MLB’s revenue sharing on Jan. 15, 2024.
With a YES vote Thursday from the senate, baseball in Oakland will likely have been extinguished. With a NO vote Thursday from the senate, the fan-planned June 13 reverse boycott at the Coliseum will be an absolute rager.
