The bill financing the Oakland Athletics' potential stadium in Las Vegas was passed by the Nevada Senate on Tuesday, clearing a major hurdle for the move.

 

The bill financing the Oakland Athletics' potential stadium in Las Vegas was passed by the Nevada Senate on Tuesday, clearing a major hurdle for the move.

Before the bill passed however, lawmakers amended the measure to strengthen its benefits for the community. The 13-8 Senate vote marks another step as the bill moves through the State Legislature while reviving the national debate over public funding for private sports clubs. The bill, which has the support of Governor Joe Lombardo, must now be considered by the state Assembly.

A's representatives and some Nevada tourism officials have said the measure could add to Las Vegas' growing sports scene and act as an economic engine. But a growing chorus of economists and some lawmakers have warned that such a project would bring minimal benefits when compared to the hefty public price tag.

Senate approval came after days of closed-door negotiations and a contentious hearing about the bill, which calls for contributing $380 million in public funding for the proposed $1.5 billion stadium.

The approval also came on the same day that roughly 27,759 Bay Area A's fans staged a massive reverse boycott by buying tickets at the Oakland Coliseum to demand that embattled owner John Fisher sell the team rather than relocating to Las Vegas. 

Thousands of frustrated, heartbroken A's fans arrived early for tailgating and solidarity at the Oakland Coliseum ahead of a Rays-A's matchup to both celebrate their team and protest a planned relocation to Las Vegas. 

They called it a reverse boycott aimed at bringing as many people as possible to the ballpark, complete with bright green 'SELL' T-shirts made by local company Oaklandish going to the first 7,000 to claim the fan-planned giveaway.

The A's announced a couple of hours before first pitch that they will donate all ticket revenue from the game to charity, the Alameda County Community Food Bank and Oakland Public Education Fund - a total of $811,107.