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Complete coverage of the proposed UNLV Now stadium plan and the other arena and stadium proposals in town.
By Paul Takahashi (contact) 
Published Friday, Nov. 30, 2012 | 11:24 a.m.
Updated Friday, Nov. 30, 2012 | 8:45 p.m.
Nevada's higher education leaders unanimously approved UNLV's master plan, which includes the stadium project, on Friday.
With the Nevada System of Higher Education's approval of a campus master plan, UNLV and its private partner Majestic Realty Co. can now move forward with the details of a proposal to build a covered, 60,000-seat stadium on its Maryland Parkway campus.
Officials hope the "UNLV Now" stadium project would be a "game-changer" for the university, and a major regional attraction that could bring the likes of an NFL exhibition game, Comic-Con and the Electric Daisy Carnival to campus.
A stadium at UNLV would attract more quality students and faculty to campus and transform campus life from less of a commuter atmosphere to a more residential one, officials said. There is also the potential for a lot of money to be made — on campus and regionally.
The stadium could pump $393.2 million to the Las Vegas economy annually if constructed, according to an economic impact report released Friday.
The study was written by Mark Rosentraub, a project consultant from the University of Michigan's Center for Sport Management, and was funded by UNLV and Majestic Realty.
The stadium is estimated to draw at least 15 new major events and about 472,500 visitors each year, according to the report. Anticipated events include the following:
• Sporting events such as a Mountain West or Pacific-12 football championship game, the X-Games, Wrestlemania, UFC International Fight Week, a Major League Soccer All-Star game and a NCAA Final Four basketball game.
• Music concerts and festivals such as the Electronic Daisy Carnival, the Country Music Festival and a Rock Music Festival.
• Other major events such as the Republican or Democratic National Convention, Comic-Con and corporate events.
The stadium could attract a Major League Soccer team to Las Vegas, which lacks a major sports team, said Majestic's Craig Cavileer, president of the Silverton resort. Any major events held currently at the Thomas & Mack Center — such as the National Finals Rodeo — could be hosted at the new stadium as well.
The report estimates that each of these 15 events would attract about 31,500 people.
If each person spends an average of $100 per ticket and $40 in food/souvenir purchases, UNLV stands to raise $66.1 million in on-campus revenue annually.
The nearby Las Vegas Strip, the local construction industry and Nevada's coffers also stand to benefit.
The stadium would support local resort and retail venues, which could rake in more than $327 million in new revenue each year.
The report adds that stadium construction would generate more than $197 million in wages and nearly $30 million in additional tax revenue for state and local governments.
If UNLV is able to attract 30 major events to a new UNLV stadium, the total economic impact for Las Vegas could approach $790 million.
Although final cost estimates and financing details have yet to be released, the stadium’s cost is estimated at $800 million. UNLV officials plan to have final budget figures and deal hammered out by late February.
UNLV and the developers earlier had said about one-third, or about $270 million, of the cost would come from long-term naming rights and numerous forms of advertising.
Another third would come from revenue generated at the site.
The last third would come in the form of a sort of tax-incremental financing plan, which would help developers obtain long-term financing. UNLV is expected to ask the Legislature for a special tax district to help support the stadium's construction.
Last legislative session, UNLV's bid for a tax-district failed in the 11th hour. It fail in part, officials said, because it was bundled with two other stadium projects in the valley.
This time, UNLV officials are more hopeful as the other two projects — in Henderson and in Las Vegas — have hit hiccups.
"We're more optimistic, but we have a lot of work to do," said Don Snyder, UNLV's hotel college dean and lead project manager. (Snyder was involved in building the Fremont Street Experience and the new Smith Center, both of which were public-private projects similar to the UNLV Now stadium proposal.)
The mega-events center is envisioned at the site of the current UNLV baseball facility, north of Harmon Avenue and east of Swenson Street. The baseball field would be moved south, between Harmon and Tropicana avenues, and expanded to include a soccer field and baseball diamonds.
A new "student village" would be sandwiched between the athletic fields and the stadium area. This village, consist of retail shops and expanded student dorms and apartments, will be key to UNLV's transition from a commuter school to a residential campus.
Regents asked questions about the stadium proposal and master plan — issues such as financing and safety — but remained supportive of the project.
Regent Jack Schofield, 89, was especially enthusiastic about the proposal. The former UNLV student saw the campus open in 1957 and has watched it grow into Southern Nevada's premier research institution ever since.
"This is an investment in my opinion. We're investing, not spending," Schofield said. "We have an opportunity here to succeed and I hope we don't flub it."
The key word is "could".
Besides, if you book an artist/event and they sell tickets which net $10m. That money does not stay with the venue. That money mostly goes to the event promoters/artist.
It is good spin, but I've heard this before with Monorail, Springs Preserve and Mob Museum.
Pipe Dream Again but if it's built don't tax me Find Private Money
So, who paid for the study?
I guess I'm in the minority because I don't agree with any of the prior comments. I can't say that it will happen, but I think this is the best idea I've heard for a stadium among all of these stadium proposals. I also think this one has a better chance of happening. We shall see if it actually does.
I'm not sure why everyone is against paying a little bit in taxes individually for something that can stimulate the economy like this. Let's say that the tax burden is $120 per year per household (for simplicity). That's 10 bucks a month. Really, 10 bucks a month is going to take you over the edge financially? I know money is tight for many people, but I don't think they'll be expecting a couple grand from everybody to finance this thing. Just don't buy a couple of beers, diet cokes, etc. at the next game you attend and that will cover your $10 tax increase.
This is by far the best stadium idea I've heard and would love to see it happen. For economic reasons and to give the UNLV football team at least a better chance to succeed in the future (again, not saying it will happen, but it's a better option than Sam Boyd Stadium), to create a better campus environment, etc., we really need a stadium like this. Even if you're not a sports fan, I would hope that you could see the positive economic impact it will have.
you're not in the minority. those are clown comments from the clueless.
William please understand how special tax districts work. The money is raised by the future taxes that the facility would raise. Hence if its not built there would be no taxes revenue created. How no one can see the benefits of this for our city, I just don't get. First you have the second most profitable arena in the U.S. and you don't think the stadium would not dwarf that by bringing in events that the T and M can't touch? If its not built the city will lose the revenue of events like NFR because it will move on to a larger arena.
the deep pockets of mgm,harrahs,and boyd gaming will block this once it looks like it gets close.they dont want anythig cutting into there own venue revenue .
Serious?!? $800 mil for the worlds absolutely worst football team? HILARIOUS!
Notch - could you please provide the details? I see no mention of this anywhere.
Texexnv - look a little further than the 6-7 days a year that UNLV football would use the arena.
dlharris - the casinos don't have events that this arena would be used for. If they are looking to put big arena events on their option is to either build it or use this arena to their advantage.
Would this replace the thomas n Mack or just silver bowl??
why only 60,000 seats? If you are going to build a covered stadium make it at least 80,000 capacity, even if some of that is SRO.
The dallas cowboy stadium can hold 100,000.
Does this $800M include the infrastructure improvements that are needed to move three times the amount of traffic out of the Paradise/Tropicana area than currently is capacity at Thomas and Mack? Of all the unpleasantness surrounding the NBA All-Star Game, doesn't anyone remember how it was nearly impossible to get to the arena on game day?
While I understand why UNLV thinks that a football stadium on campus is a good thing, even if every student goes it's only a third full, and none of the hotels have any incentive for their guests to leave their property. So no monorail link (as if they had the money for it anyway) and nothing but shuttles and taxis down Tropicana for hours and hours.
One of the names under consideration is the "Dust Bowl".
@REMilner,
You need to understand the difference between projected figures and real figures. If this project is projected to cost $800m, then what happens if it costs $900m? Who picks up that $100m?
Similarly projected revenue of $800m, what if revenue is $500m? Who picks up the bill?
This isn't about whether the project is good or bad, it is who picks up the tab if cost/revenue projections are off. Nobody wants to debate those concerns because they don't know the answers.
I just want the financial due diligence to be accounted for. I want to protect UNLV and its students or the taxpayers getting stuck with a $300m bill down the line.
Geez I don't know maybe it will come in under budget. I guess we could sit and wait for the Stadium Fairy to come drop it down from the sky. Whether you believe the estimates this arena could bring the city are right are wrong is your right. But the fact is the T and M is the 2nd most profitable Arena in the country. I guess I am looking at the positives that this Stadium could bring to Las Vegas and Unlv. I have faith that a city whose success is depended on tourism and big events the stadium should do just fine.
@tiger,
Good point, the source of the money to cover cost over runs or revenue short falls absolutely should be laid out and committed to in advance because the odds are one or both projections are off by a substantial amount.
Build it and they will come about time this goes into action it will be a Gem for LV and another step in the right direction towards making Las Vegas a complete vacation area. Any major city which has a major stadium has reaped the $$$ benefits and culture growth making them center points for great entertainment. Who knows even a super bowl bid might be entertained for this complex.
The list of events included in the Executive Summary has some incredibly questionable events.
NFL Preseason & Pro Bowl - The NFL absolutely hates Vegas, there is no way they'd bring games here, to play at a stadium that is within 10 minutes walking distance of the sports book at the Hard Rock Hotel.
NCAA Final Four - This deserves a bigger laugh than the idea that the NFL would bring games to Vegas!
Music Events (EDC, Rock festivals) - Large music festivals are typically held outdoors in large, flat areas to accommodate 100,000+ people and multiple stages. A stadium like this wont do for how EDC and large rock festivals like Coachella usually work. You'll be able to attract concerts, and probably local radio-sponsored events (Extreme Thing) but you aren't going to get a music festival going to attract 80,000 people to the stadium.
Two Soccer Festivals - one maybe, but two seems unlikely.
Comicon - As much as I would love to see Comicon in Vegas, a stadium isn't going to put us over the top. We have everything we need from a logistical standpoint now for Comicon (hotel rooms, convention space), a stadium brings us nothing new.
X-Games - perhaps every other year, but not every year. Would likely rotate cities.
MWC Football Championship Game - I don't think it'll attract a ton of people or revenue.
**
After looking at their list I figure they have a good chance for 10-12 events, not the 15 they're talking about. And that includes stealing the NFR from the T&M, which would hurt UNLV and benefit the stadium (might not be that big of a net gain).
Plus, if you look at the UNLV Now master plan, parking for the T&M and the stadium would be less (fewer spots in total) than what is available for the T&M now exclusively. Good luck with that.
The master plan is available at http://www.unlv.edu/assets/masterplan/im... (warning: large JPG) - you can see they remove the T&M black lot in its entirety, most of the white lot as well, along with the parking that fronts Tropicana between Paradise and Swenson. Replacing this parking is a few small lots near the stadium (likely to be reserved for VIP parking for events, so don't think you'll be parking there anytime soon).
The executive summary PDF is available at http://www.unlv.edu/sites/default/files/... - this lists the events they'd like to see is towards the end of the document.
Siromega - you bring up some valid points. One that I differ the stadium would not be taking it from the Thomas and Mack. Unlv would own both, it would free up the Thomas and Mack for the basketball team instead of forcing them out for 3 weeks. It would also allow the T and M to be available to put on concerts to coincide with the Rodeo. I see it as an oppurtunity to increase revenue during the rodeo.
LV would attract a pro sports team if they build this, probably soccer. UNLV's football program would benefit, more people would go to games. I can see a bowl game being played there and some playoff games as well.
@REMilner,
Yes lets be positive that the numbers are great, until the numbers aren't great and then we can point fingers at why UNLV has to cut programs, sell land or a government bail-out is required.
How many concerts do you think Thomas and Mack will get? How many does it have now? On the current calendar it has Joel Osteen, Disney On Ice and Harlem Globetrotters.
How many events are scheduled at MGM and Mandalay Bay and Orleans Arena? There aren't many arena sized music acts and most already play MGM or Mandalay Bay. All they will do is leach events from each other.
But again you can't answer my one question, who is accountable for any budget problems? You can't answer it because it isn't getting discussed, the developers and UNLV are not willing to enter that discussion.
This is par for the course in Las Vegas. We swallow the projections without question.
Comment removed by moderator. Inappropriate
Mark Rosentraub's numbers seem highly inflated. Ticket prices will not always be $100 for every event, and not every attendee will spend another $40 on stuff while there. Also, assuming every event will draw 31,500 people is wrong, some more like rodeo, most way less. If this arena is going to cost at least $830 Million, and Mr. Don Snyder is now heading up the team, you can be sure that he and the team are going to the 2013 Nevada Legislature and the Clark County Commission to try to find a way to get the taxpayers to somehow pay for at least half of this over designed arena. I suggest that they immediately remove all the odd and unusable forms, curving side pop outs, sweeping roof forms and extravagant lighting patterns that will not be maintained in future years. Bringing back a sensible $350-400 Million arena in the midst of an ongoing recession that can survive on its own revenues and no taxpayer support would be much more popular with all of us. I for one do not understand the financing for the remainder of this project at all.
"The last third would come in the form of a sort of tax-incremental financing plan, which would help developers obtain long-term financing. UNLV is expected to ask the Legislature for a special tax district to help support the stadium's construction."
There it is. It's just *so fantastic* that the private developer is either unable or unwilling to secure enough private financing to pay for it all. Will the developers be on the hook if it fails, or will we?
As to all these "anticipated" events - it sounds awfully (and by that I mean 'unrealistically') presumptive. Plus, isn't the Electric Daisy Carnival already here? That's not going to pump more money into the local economy if it was already going to be here. It leads me to wonder whether the economic impact report is only counting what will be added and ignoring what will be lost. All over the country, big stadiums for things like professional sports teams routinely fail to boost economies as claimed (and are often a drain instead), because they cannibalize other leisure activities. People spend at the stadium instead of spending at the movies, or restaurants, etc. It sounds like they expect the stadium to cannibalize other venues as well as other forms of entertainment. Lose/lose.
"Plus, if you look at the UNLV Now master plan, parking for the T&M and the stadium would be less (fewer spots in total) than what is available for the T&M now exclusively. Good luck with that."
Did the pictures confuse you?
According to their presentation - http://www.unlv.edu/assets/masterplan/do... - UNLV currently has 12,500 TOTAL parking spots, including T&M. They're building an additional 11,500 in the first phase, which is planned for the next five years.
The plan is to have 23,500-29,000 parking spaces.
Looks like they're planning to replace giant swaths of parking lots with parking garages, which is a great use of space and will allow them to move things around campus.
The real question is how traffic will flow around the university. Cramming this much stuff into such a small footprint seems like a traffic nightmare waiting to happen.
I for one hope this happens. The city needs this. We cannot afford to lose out on major events every year to another stadium.
We will lose out on the NFR if we do not build this. You are only fooling yourself if you do not think so. Vegas needs the NFR. I don't understand how people think the Casino's will not be excited for this also. They will take advantage of the stadium being so close to the strip. Do the Casinos take advantage when NFR is here?
For those who believe that 15 events is high and 12 is realistic, that's fine but even with 12 it will help. If you lose 3 events from the stadium from whats projected, that is 20% of the events, so UNLV still stands to make 52.88 Million annually. The local resort and retail can make 250 mill annually still. People who argue and say they cannot draw events are being short sighted. They say that T&M can only get Harlem Globetrotters or Disney on Ice outside NFR and Basketball, but it is one to the top grossing venues in the world. Do you honestly feel the stadium will not make money here in Vegas??
I believe there will be plenty of events. Should be 6 to 7 football games, MWC championship game, Supercross, Monster Jam, NFR, EDC will have a home, Wrestling, Vegas Bowl, Soccer. That is 14 events that should happen each year. Plus the potential for PAC 12 championship game, which they should come considering several other conferences come here for basketball conference championships. Preseason NFL, it could happen. Other College football games looking for a great venue to play similar to JerryWorld. NCAA final four rotation, Music concerts and others. So even those down years or low attendance we should have plenty of other events to meet the quota.
One issue I agree with is parking and traffic. It needs to be addressed but this is not unique to cities with major stadiums. Some cities you have to walk 2 miles to get to the stadium. And lets face it, if you oppose the stadium now you probably will not go to any events. If you are local trying to get home you pretty much know not to drive in the area. I am sure you don't drive next to the T&M when a basketball game or NFR gets out.
People need to look at the big picture here. Vegas Economy is hurting and this is an excellent idea for creating jobs and generating revenue. Vegas cannot sustain itself by gaming alone. We need to adapt and make it better for future generations.
Apparently some people can't quit figure out that the public will not pay anything for this complex unless they spend money in the taxation district that surrounds the stadium. If you don't like the idea, don't go there.
"MickeyA" perhaps they could just stop by your house until that happens.
I often wonder about about the "projections" after the massive screw up with the monorail numbers. Who is providing the budget number estimates?
Considering it will be artificial turf I doubt they will attract a pro soccer team. With 60,000 seats it cannot host any NFL special events. Most super concerts (60,000) have disappeared. Other than UNLV football, what is this going to host? Basketball in cavernous 60K stadiums is also a big no-no unless you bring binoculars.
What exactly is this stadium supposed to host other than 8 football games.
And the number one question is what if the revenues from this taxation district aren't enough to cover expenses, costs etc? What is the contingency? There has to be one.
I don't understand why UNLV didn't build it long ago, instead of Boyd Stadium. Is it me, or is Vegas always a dime short of making poor decision for the future of this city. Mono rail was poorly planned, should of went down the strip, Boyd Stadium was build in no man's land, downtown was allow to go down hill for years. Now that plans that make sense are on the board, they will cost everyone more to build today.
Soccer would be a huge venue draw if they could get international teams from Europe,South America and Mexico. With our new international airport terminal and money they would bring-huge.
As they wait to cash their Obama stimulus checks (unemployment benefits) they trash something that may make them get work....
The 15 events is a small list compared to whats really out there waiting to come here. Plus the smaller events that will share space as it does now at the various venues.
Much better than a giant Farris wheel being built next to a bankrupt monorail..
Tourism is still Las Vegas number one job creator.. This will add jobs and $$ to the economy like no other.
"Did the pictures confuse you?"
The image I linked to showed the T&M black lot being completely removed (replaced with "recreational areas"), the MP PDF you linked to above doesn't. Also the white lot appears to be reconfigured with larger garages in the MP PDF. So which one is right? And why did I find that image on UNLV's master plan website? In the direct vicinity of the stadium and T&M, they'd have how many spots? Not counting the current Engineering parking garage, or any future Maryland Parkway garages. And this doesn't even bring up the fact they want to increase on-campus housing from 1,100 beds to 7,000-9,000 beds (and the cars that come with them in this mass-transit-unfriendly town).
The car counts for the stadium seem questionable - the stadium will only draw 11K cars? So 5 people per car on average for a sold-out event? Or do that many people take cabs/shuttle busses to the events? (I know NFR runs shuttles, but I don't expect football games to). Never mind all the employees of the stadium driving commuting 1 person per car.
The parking garages are a good idea for students who spend variable amounts of time on campus per day depending on their own schedule and don't all come in one rush at 8A and leave at 5P, but I question their use and density for an events center. Ever try and leave the Hard Rock after a sold-out concert at the new Joint? A lot of education would need to go on to tell people where to park for how they want to leave the stadium - if you want to get to the 215 via the airport, park in X, Y and Z garages; etc.
**
Parking is an annoyance, and not a big concern when it comes to funding the stadium. They've got their "15 events" and I think they'll be lucky to get 12 and the promised tax revenue they're putting out there.
Anthony, what I linked to was the master plan that was approved. It has a few things to quell your concerns.
First, the addition of 11,500 parking lot spaces, making a total of 23,500 spaces (at least) on campus. 23,500 spaces for a 60,000 seat complex is very reasonable. To compare, Cowboys Stadium has a capacity of 80,000 with 24,000 spaces available.
Are all of those parking spaces directly adjacent to the complex? No. Which is why they're proposing a campus transportation system. I'd remind you that half of the parking for the Cowboys stadium is at the Rangers' ballpark. They employ a similar system.
This actually makes a lot more sense, as you can park in a garage across campus, that would be easier to get out of, and take a shuttle to the complex.
What they actually seem to lack is a decent space for tailgating.
I share your concerns about the realistic number of events they can expect.
Get this thing built. It's make-or-break: Build it, and UNLV becomes a national entity. Don't build it: Fade to obscurity.
Simple.
Unless at least 60% of this is funded by private donations I think it's a huge mistake.
I love sports as much as anyone but this may be one of the dumbest moves of all time considering the local and national economic forecasts. That is unless you believe all the hype and BS.
If it costs an average of $100 per ticket they'll never see me and probably not tens of thousands of others. The revenues are a pipe dream as they all are. There may be a stadium that makes money, but outside of Dallas I can't think of a stadium that ever reached projections and I'm not sure about them. Stadium pushers always claim the moon and deliver much less. Someone said on local TV last night that a Super Bowl was possible. The current NFL Commissioner has said he won't allow an NFL team in Vegas and it is unlikely he'd allow a Super Bowl based upon his comments about Vegas and gambling. Vegas I believe is a medium not a big TV market and with only 60,000 seats it would be tough to get a SB here. Most schools and cities build new stadiums before they finish paying off the old one. The Chargers and San Diego have been doing the stadium dance for ten years with threats of moving and if I remember, SD is still paying for the old one through the nose.
Those who will pay for this for the next 20 or 30 years need to think about it, carefully. With city, county and state budgets busted; education, transportation and other special interests all conniving for tax raises, saddling the tax payer with more than a billion including maintenance and operations costs doesn't make sense.
So many have so much to say about the dismal state of education in Nevada and the inability to attract new business due to a poorly educated work force that I would think a major expenditure of this nature that will surely result in higher taxes should go to facilities that produce the types of degrees and skills that will create an educated work force.
"If each person spends an average of $100 per ticket and $40...". "If UNLV is able to attract 30 major events... ". If and if and if; if a frog had wings it wouldn't bump its butt.
If the taxpayers want it regardless they should vote for it and the tax increases necessary up front, but stop feeding us preposterous nonsense that judging by history and any reasonable projection is very unlikely to ever come true.
A billion for education might make sense if done right, which is another air burst but a billion for a sports stadium when we will never pay the bonds off is suicidal and stupid. I may be wrong but I haven't seen any guarantees of anything that can be taken to the bank yet. Talk about living beyond our means...
Majority private funding must be contractual before we go down this rabbit hole.
I'm sorry...did I miss something. I don't believe I saw anything here regarding "higher education"
this sounds like the same guys who did the numbers for the monorail--remember that fiasco---another great idea! sure--we will build a monorail a half mile from the strip behind every property and have it drop people off another half mile from where they want to go and we will charge $10 a person and 31 million people visit so we will sell 1 million tickets for sure!!!!
This is the same kind of BS logic being pushed again---you are stealing events from the privately run stadiums and moving them to a publicly funded stadium that will pay lower (or no) taxes on the revenue---who loses??? THE TAXPAYERS and the private arena operators. This will take business from mgm grand garden, mandalay event center and other places and benefit the college administrators--how many of them already are making over 200K. This is the same group that is paying this loser coach 800K--another great financial decision. The taxpayers should pay ZERO. Get the financing on the validity of the arena making money---if it was going to make money for sure---banks would certainly pony up the money---the fact that you need taxpayer money at all shows this idea is a bad one as presented.
And there has been zero discussion about the traffic in that area---harmon is already a freakin disaster at swenson--your gonna add 80k people to that problem area!!!! This will be a nightmare for everyone driving on that side of the strip every event. ZERO talk of parking and traffic issues.
"Voters say 'NO' to local library fund initiative "
"The projected cost to taxpayers was $7 annually for every taxable value of $100,000."
Two branches expected to close by end of month as result of decision that $7/month was too much...Henderson Press.
Eliminate Libraries, the build a boutique and sports dome for millions more. The tipping point has arrived.