Nevada Supreme Court Rejects Effort to Repeal Public Funding for Las Vegas MLB Stadium
The Nevada Supreme Court has dealt a blow to opponents of public funding for a new MLB stadium in Las Vegas. On Monday, the court struck down a proposed ballot initiative that would have allowed voters to decide whether to repeal the funding that lawmakers approved last year.
Five judges voted to uphold a lower court ruling that had rejected the referendum. One judge dissented, while another concurred in part and dissented in part.
Ballot Referendum Deemed Misleading
The Nevada Supreme Court ruled that the entirety of the 66-page bill authorizing the stadium funding must be included in the ballot question to provide its full context. However, ballot referendums in Nevada are limited to 200 words, making it difficult to adequately explain the complex bill.
The court determined that the 200-word description submitted by supporters of the referendum was “misleading” and did not accurately describe the practical effects of the proposal.
Debate Over Public Funding for Sports Stadiums
The debate over public funding for sports stadiums is not unique to Nevada. Across the country, there is growing concern about the use of public funds to subsidize private sports facilities.
Supporters of the Las Vegas stadium argue that it will add to the city’s growing sports scene and serve as an economic engine. However, critics contend that the public benefits will be minimal compared to the hefty price tag.
Next Steps for Stadium Opponents
Following the court’s ruling, the Schools over Stadiums political action committee, which led the effort to repeal the funding, has indicated that it will focus on getting the question on the ballot in 2026.
The committee is backed by the Nevada State Education Association, a statewide teachers union that has long opposed the use of public funds for the stadium.
