A's ballpark perfect for Vegas, stadium financing expert says

[LVfan]

By Mick Akers Las Vegas Review-Journal
July 18, 2023

A stadium financing expert says the Oakland Athletics' planned Las Vegas ballpark has all the ingredients to be a success.

Planned for to be built on at least 9 acres of land at the site of the Tropicana, the A's would rely on a healthy mix of local residents and tourists to fill the seats of the Strip ballpark.

If the A's model their plan after the NFL's Raiders and NHL's Golden Knights, they should have no problem filling the seats on an annual basis, according to Alan Hoffman, partner at Winston and Strawn.

"Drawing upon not just the tourism industry, which of course is phenomenal in Las Vegas, but also the local community," Hoffman said. "People think of Vegas as this great party town, bachelor parties and everything else.. But there is also this broad family-based community that would really love Major League Baseball. You're really combining the two demographics."

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[LVfan]

Alan Hoffman, a stadium financing expert and partner at law firm Winston & Strawn, has expressed high confidence in the success of Major League Baseball (MLB) in Las Vegas, particularly regarding the Oakland Athletics' planned move to the Strip
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Hoffman's analysis of the potential for baseball in Las Vegas includes the following points:

• Ideal Market Conditions: Hoffman believes Las Vegas is an ideal market, telling the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the move "should be a huge hit" by drawing on a combination of strong tourism and a growing local, family-based community.
• Unique Sponsorship Opportunities: Unlike cities with traditional corporate bases (like Oakland), Las Vegas offers unique, lucrative partnership deals with local casinos. Hoffman noted that these casinos are "wonderful partners" for sponsorships, working together to showcase both gaming and sports entertainment.
• Superior Revenue Potential: Hoffman indicated that there is more money to be made on sponsorships in Las Vegas than in cities with traditional Fortune 500 companies.
• Success of 30,000-Seat Model: He supports the plan for a smaller, 30,000-seat stadium, suggesting it fits the trend of focusing on a better, more intimate fan experience. He noted that revenue can be made through premium options, such as luxury boxes and high-end dining, rather than just capacity.
• Comparison to Oakland: Hoffman highlighted that when compared to Oakland, Las Vegas provides far superior corporate sponsorship opportunities.

Hoffman has worked on large-scale stadium projects for major teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Dallas Cowboys, and Boston Celtics.