Mayor seeks gaming help in NBA quest

Wednesday, March 7, 2001 | 11:17 a.m.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman Tuesday began lobbying key members of the gaming community to turn around opposition to bringing the NBA's Vancouver Grizzlies here.

Goodman met in Reno Tuesday night with Nevada Gaming Commission Chairman Brian Sandoval, who last week said he would not support a move to ban betting on NBA games if Las Vegas lands the Grizzlies.

NBA Commissioner David Stern has said the voluntary ban must be in place before he would allow a team to make its home here. Goodman is hoping to persuade the commissioner to accept a ban just on Grizzlies games.

The mayor Tuesday also worked to set up a meeting in Las Vegas next week with members of the Nevada Resort Association, the casino industry's political arm. Industry executives also are reluctant to give up betting on NBA games and are concerned they might be asked to help fund a new downtown arena for the struggling basketball franchise.

Goodman told the Sun this morning that the Grizzlies still are serious about coming to Las Vegas, despite news reports out of Louisiana that New Orleans and Anaheim, Calif., now are the team's top choices to relocate.

"I wouldn't be working this hard for nothing," he said.

He added that a private firm this week filed "elaborate plans" for a downtown entertainment district, including a new sports arena, with the city's business development office.

Goodman previously said the taxpayers would not be asked to pay for a new arena.

This morning he would not discuss details of his hourlong meeting with Sandoval, which took place at the Plaza Hotel at Reno's Cannon International Airport. But he described his conversation as cordial.

"We had a very serious discussion," he said. "He understands what I'm trying to do, and I understand what his concerns are. The guy would love to have a sports team here. I would love to have a sports team here, and we're going to try to figure out a way to get one."

Goodman said he was hoping to address the NRA's executive board meeting next Wednesday to explain his campaign to woo the Grizzlies.

On Monday the mayor chastised gaming executives for not supporting his efforts, suggesting they weren't being good citizens.

But today he said he has decided to take a friendlier approach to winning over the industry.

NRA President Bill Bible said his members have several concerns about Goodman's push for the Grizzlies.

"At this point, we still have a lot of questions," Bible said. "We need to know what his proposal is and what the NBA is going to request of the State of Nevada and the gaming industry."

Bible said Goodman asked him for the meeting while on the plane to Reno Tuesday, and he told the mayor he would consider it.

Bible and casino executives are worried that any voluntary betting ban on NBA games would hurt the fight against the NCAA's congressional campaign to prohibit wagering on college sports here.

"We would be asked to put out an inconsistent position," Bible said.

Sandoval, who could not be reached for comment this morning, shares that opinion.

The Sandoval-led Gaming Commission just lifted a longtime ban on UNLV and University of Nevada, Reno, games as part of the fight to save college betting in the state.