LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nevada's governor signed a bill Monday clearing the way for a Las Vegas stadium that could be home to the Raiders, although NFL owners still need to approve the team's move from Oakland before Sin City becomes a football town.
Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval and Raiders owner Mark Davis joined hardhat-wearing construction workers and mask-wearing Raiders fans for the ceremony at UNLV, whose football team would also use the 65,000-seat domed stadium.
Nevada lawmakers narrowly approved a deal in a special session last week that increases hotel taxes in the Las Vegas area to raise $750 million for a stadium and more than $400 million to expand and upgrade the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Critics called the deal a "total scam," saying it prioritizes the legacy project of one of the world's richest men over Nevada's school and mental health needs.