Mayor: NBA issue rests squarely in books’ court

Erin Neff

Monday, Nov. 1, 1999 | 11:24 a.m.

NBA Commissioner David Stern clearly put the ball back in Las Vegas' hands Friday regarding a possible sports arena and basketball franchise.

But it seems Mayor Oscar Goodman is facing at least a half-court shot over the hands of the towering casino sports betting industry if he really wants to sink the winning basket.

After a brief timeout to assess what Stern told him Friday afternoon, Goodman said the strategy now is to pass the ball to the gaming industry and see what concessions it is willing to make.

"It depends how much they want an NBA team here," Goodman said Friday.

"I have to see what they're willing to do, if anything, if they want an NBA franchise here -- if they're willing to make the concessions that I believe should be explored or discussed."

Stern met with the National Basketball Association's Board of Governors on Thursday and Friday and learned that the owners were not willing to compromise on their historic anti-gambling stance.

"The only issue that would ultimately have to be dealt with before the NBA could consider Las Vegas as a site for an NBA franchise is the subject of betting on NBA basketball," Stern said in a press conference Friday in New York after meeting with the owners.

Stern added that the NBA does not view gambling, slot machines and casinos as reasons a city should be unsuitable for the league.

"But betting on basketball is a historical problem in the NBA," Stern said.

Sports books statewide accept an estimated $375 million annually -- or 15 percent of the total wagers -- on pro basketball. The NBA ranks third behind horse racing and football for the amount of wagers.

Clark County's sports books that offer NBA betting took in $21.6 million through the 12-month period ending July 31, a 4.76 percent win.

There are basically three patterns of thought among bookmakers.

Vic Salerno, president and chief executive of American Wagering Inc., which operates the 48 Leroy's Horse and Sports books, said giving up NBA bets is "absolutely and totally ridiculous."

Mirage Resorts Inc. spokesman Alan Feldman said losing NBA bets might not be as big a financial loss considering the financial impact a local team could have on the economy.

Feldman said sports betting in general is simply a service casinos provide "to round out the casino experience."

A third option -- some type of compromise like the UNLV rule, in which games of the local team are taken off local sports book boards -- does not appear to be what the NBA has in mind when it says no betting on the NBA.

"The issue is now solidly crystallized," Goodman said. "There's no question as to what has to happen. We either don't take bets on the NBA, try to get a modified UNLV rule or forget about a basketball team."

Goodman said his first order of business Tuesday after today's holiday will be to contact the Nevada Resort Association.

In a recent interview with the Sun, NRA Chairman Bill Bible said he didn't think Nevada sports books would be united on whether to ban betting on the NBA.

"I've dealt with the books from a variety of perspectives and most recently as chairman of the (Gaming) Control Board, and they were rarely together on any issues," Bible said.

Goodman said that if that's the reaction he gets from the NRA, "Fair enough."

"If we want to remain a second-class city as far as sports are concerned, that's what we'll be," he said. "It's a shame."

Even as Goodman tries to forge a compromise on NBA betting, he is receiving calls from people interested in owning a Las Vegas team.

One of the potential investors is local, but Goodman refused to identify him.

The other two potential investors would be willing to work with the Las Vegan to court a team, he said. Goodman and a delegation of local leaders flew to New York in September with San Diego Padres Chairman John Moores.

Moores has expressed interest in owning an NBA team and has visited Las Vegas to tour the vacant land downtown eyed for a sports arena.

Goodman said he would not comment on whether the three investors had identified a team willing to move. There are currently no franchises available and no immediate plans for expansion of the league.

He also said he "can't comment" on whether the San Antonio Spurs are being eyed to come to Las Vegas.

Voters in Bexar County, Texas, will decide the fate of a hotel and rental car tax increase tomorrow. If the ballot measure that would partially fund a new arena for the Spurs fails, the world championship team has said it will leave town.