MGM Grand Renovations Held up by MLB Vegas Stadium Project

MGM Grand Las Vegas Hotel & Casino after reopening it doors to the public after the Covid-19 heath pandemic in Las Vegas on Thursday, June 4, 2020. (Mikayla Whitmore/The Nevada Independent)

Article by : Erik Gibbs Feb 20, 2024

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Final designs for a 33,000-seat baseball stadium, all set to become the new home for the relocated Oakland Athletics, are eagerly awaited as MGM Grand Las Vegas prepares for extensive remodeling.

Bill Hornbuckle, the CEO of MGM Resorts International, revealed that three versions of the stadium’s proposed location have been presented, all set to replace the current Tropicana Las Vegas site.

During the company’s fourth-quarter earnings conference, Hornbuckle acknowledged that the lack of clarity regarding the stadium’s placement has impeded MGM’s remodeling plans for the primary entrance to the MGM Grand.

The envisioned transformation aims to establish a seamless connection between the pedestrian entrance to the forthcoming $1.5 billion Major League Baseball stadium and the 30-year-old resort.

Expressing anticipation for more information in the next 30 to 60 days, Hornbuckle emphasized the importance of understanding the stadium’s location for MGM’s strategic remodeling efforts.

Meanwhile, representatives from the Oakland Athletics engaged in discussions with the leadership of the city of Oakland and Alameda County on Thursday.

The talks centered around the possibility of extending the team’s contract at the Oakland Coliseum, which concludes after the upcoming season beginning on March 28. As an alternative, the A’s explored opportunities in Salt Lake City and Sacramento to play from 2025 to 2027 until the completion of the Las Vegas ballpark in April 2028.

The Athletics are considering staying at the Coliseum, benefiting from their established market and ongoing revenue from regional sports network checks, a deal worth $67 million annually until 2034.

Positive discussions with the City and County suggest potential lease extensions during the interim period before the Vegas ballpark opens.

Analysts highlight MGM Resorts as a major beneficiary of the proposed stadium on the Strip, with MGM actively lobbying for a $380 million public financing package linked to the Tropicana site.

Bally’s Corp., the operator of the Tropicana, plans to close the 67-year-old resort on April 2, leading to its eventual demolition. Tropicana officials have filed layoff notices for 744 workers, emphasizing the complex landscape involving financial negotiations, urban planning and local workforce impacts.

A’s owner John Fisher requested conceptual designs for a new hotel, casino and entertainment attraction on the Tropicana site, aligning with the ballpark. The A’s aim to unveil these designs during spring training games on March 8-9.