CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) Heavy hitters in Nevada's casino industry are going to bat for a project backed by one of their competitors, saying a proposed NFL stadium and a convention center expansion in Las Vegas are game-changing opportunities that Nevada lawmakers shouldn't pass up.
Steve Wynn of Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren and Caesars Entertainment Executive Vice President Jan Jones Blackhurst gave speeches Monday to Nevada lawmakers who are meeting in a special session to vet public financing for a stadium that's backed by Las Vegas Sands casino mogul Sheldon Adelson. The venue could house the Raiders.
''This is an absolute dead-bang, winning opportunity, and I hope you will find it in your wisdom to approve it shortly,'' Wynn told lawmakers, saying professional sports would be a cornerstone to the stability of Nevada tourism. ''I personally believe that if we lose this opportunity, it will be one of the most heartbreaking mistakes we've ever made.''
Blackhurst, the former mayor of Las Vegas, said the projects will take the tourism mecca to the next level.
''We've been offered a gift here,'' she said. ''We've been offered a gift that takes us from 45 million visitors, to 55, to 65 million visitors.''
Murren fought back against the idea that his company, the largest employer in the state and a major player in the convention industry, would be threatened by the improvements.
''You might come to the conclusion that MGM would be opposed to both of the projects before you. In fact, the exact opposite is true,'' he said. ''We know the entire community benefits when our convention center is full.'' Read more...
For NFL news, video highlights, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more only at feeltheaction.com
Steve Wynn of Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren and Caesars Entertainment Executive Vice President Jan Jones Blackhurst gave speeches Monday to Nevada lawmakers who are meeting in a special session to vet public financing for a stadium that's backed by Las Vegas Sands casino mogul Sheldon Adelson. The venue could house the Raiders.
''This is an absolute dead-bang, winning opportunity, and I hope you will find it in your wisdom to approve it shortly,'' Wynn told lawmakers, saying professional sports would be a cornerstone to the stability of Nevada tourism. ''I personally believe that if we lose this opportunity, it will be one of the most heartbreaking mistakes we've ever made.''
Blackhurst, the former mayor of Las Vegas, said the projects will take the tourism mecca to the next level.
''We've been offered a gift here,'' she said. ''We've been offered a gift that takes us from 45 million visitors, to 55, to 65 million visitors.''
Murren fought back against the idea that his company, the largest employer in the state and a major player in the convention industry, would be threatened by the improvements.
''You might come to the conclusion that MGM would be opposed to both of the projects before you. In fact, the exact opposite is true,'' he said. ''We know the entire community benefits when our convention center is full.'' Read more...
For NFL news, video highlights, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more only at feeltheaction.com
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