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If Raiders Pass on Vegas, UNLV Could Have Alternative

Sam Boyd Stadium

Officials in Las Vegas are working on several concepts for a new stadium, including one that allows UNLV to pursue a facility if the Oakland Raiders opt to not relocate to the city.

Throughout this project, the Raiders and UNLV have been linked, even as their agendas are somewhat different. Whereas the Raiders are looking to move on from Oakland and O.Co Coliseum, UNLV is simply looking for a more modern stadium in a more conveniently accessible location.

While the plan that includes those two entities—plus Las Vegas Sands Corp and Majestic Realty—is still the preferred option, the Southern Nevada Tourism Committee wants to have a backup plan for UNLV.

Under a proposal this expected to be presented on Thursday, the committee will unveil a funding model that includes two separate hotel tax increases—one of 0.7% for hotels on the strip, and a reduced 0.5% bump for hotels located within 25 miles of the facility. The plan also calls for the creation of a stadium authority that consists of seven board members that are appointed by a combination of the Governor of Nevada, county commissioners, and developers.

Additionally, the committee wants to ensure that UNLV has an option if the Raiders ultimately back out of the project. More from Action News 13:

Clauses in the draft would allow UNLV to pursue a stadium of its own using funds collected from the room tax.

To trigger that clause, the university would have to raise $200 million in public funding.

The committee will have a chance to discuss the preliminary draft and any potential changes at its meeting Thursday morning.

Thus far, it looks like the Raiders consider Las Vegas their top priority. Even with that, it makes sense to have something in place for UNLV, which will still have a stadium situation of its own to address if the Raiders cannot come to terms.

Image used under Creative Commons license via flickr.com.

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