Las Vegas Mayor Does U-Turn Following Viral Oakland Athletics Remarks

Summary:

• Mayor Goodman said she is “excited” about the prospect of MLB in Las Vegas
• She clarified that she is not against the Oakland Athletics’ relocation to Vegas
• Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo reiterated the state’s full support for the A’s relocation

Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman has made it clear she is not opposed to the decision of the Major League Baseball (MLB) team Oakland Athletics to relocate to Las Vegas.

Goodman had been compelled to issue a statement after her recent remarks about the A’s planned baseball stadium at the site of the Tropicana on the Strip went viral.

In a Feb. 6 interview with FrontOffice Sports, Goodman indicated it was not wise for the Oakland Athletics to build their new home on the Las Vegas Strip due to traffic congestion. She also said the Cashman Complex in downtown Las Vegas would have been a better location for the ballpark as it has multiple access points.

The site could also be expanded so that the A’s could have up to 100 acres for their proposed stadium, but they rejected that opportunity, according to Goodman. In the same interview, the Las Vegas Mayor speculated on the main reason for the A’s desire to get closer to the Strip – they wanted to be “on the water” similar to how it was in Oakland.

Many perceived Goodman’s comments as not being supportive of the A’s relocation to Las Vegas. Even Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo was “frustrated” by the Mayor’s comments. The reactions prompted Goodman to issue a statement and set the record straight.

According to the Mayor, she is actually excited about the prospect of MLB in Las Vegas, and the A’s making Vegas their new home. Goodman explained that her previous remarks were based on her belief that the A’s would have chosen to stay in Oakland and pursue a new $1 billion ballpark project there had they reached a common ground with the city’s officials.

Goodman said that would have been the ultimate dream of the Oakland ownership and the team’s loyal fans.

Goodman said the A’s potential relocation to the city is an indication that Vegas is a “spectacular market” for major league sports franchises and future US sports betting opportunities.

Meanwhile, Gov. Lombardo said the state strongly supports the A’s move to Las Vegas, citing the many benefits it would bring to the city and the state as a whole. Lombardo vowed to do everything in his power to clear the path for that.