The Nevada Supreme Court has struck down a proposed ballot initiative that would allow voters to decide whether to repeal up to $380 million in public funding for a new MLB stadium in Las Vegas.
The teachers group ‘Schools Over Stadiums' wanted voters to decide if the stadium should have been allowed to receive funds to be built - on the 2024 ballot.
Five judges voted to uphold a lower court ruling that struck down the referendum. One judge dissented, while another concurred in-part and dissented in-part.
In a statement, Schools Over Stadiums says it plans to refile their petition next year. “Nevada voters deserve the opportunity to decide where their money goes.”
Nevada’s Legislature and governor have already approved public financing for a $1.5 billion, 30,000-seat ballpark with a retractable roof that will be close to Allegiant Stadium, where the NFL’s Oakland Raiders moved to in 2020, and T-Mobile Arena, where the current Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights started play in 2017 as an expansion team.
Last month, Tropicana Las Vegas closed to make room for the new stadium.
A's representatives and some Nevada tourism officials have said the public funding could add to Las Vegas’ growing sports scene and act as an economic engine. But a growing chorus of stadium economists, educators and some lawmakers had warned that it would bring minimal benefits, especially when compared to the hefty public price tag.
MLB owners have unanimously approved the A’s move to Las Vegas.
‘Schools Over Stadiums’ accuse legislators of ignoring struggling Nevada schools and are prioritizing professional sports over education. While they didn't have enough signatures, the group remains hopeful.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
