Las Vegas could learn by Dec. 6 if it wins MLS soccer team

Las Vegas could know as early as Dec. 6 whether it is selected as the final Major League Soccer team.

The Board of Governors of MLS, which is expanding to 24 teams, is meeting on Dec. 6, with expansion expected to be discussed, said Dean Howes, a soccer stadium adviser helping Justin Findlay on a downtown stadium proposal in Las Vegas.

The MLS board could decide on the city at its meeting, Howes said. The final three cities vying for the last slot are Las Vegas, Minneapolis, and Sacramento, Calif., he said.

Howes and Findlay visited the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s editorial board Tuesday to discuss the stadium proposal.

“We are hoping they will make a decision,” Howes said after the editorial board meeting.

MLS spokesman Dan Courtemanche confirmed the Board of Governors will discuss expansion, but he did not say whether a city will be picked.

The stadium deal between the city and the partnership of Findlay Sports and Entertainment and The Cordish Cos. has been evolving during the past six months. The proposed stadium site is Symphony Park in downtown Las Vegas.

Last week, city staff unveiled a new stadium funding proposal by lumping a $20 million to $25 million city contribution for the $200 million, 24,000-seat stadium in a bond package that included four parks. The total bond deal was estimated at $45.7 million to $50.7 million.

The city would borrow that amount by paying $3 million annually for 30 years by tapping hotel room revenues, which are used for parks projects.

Findlay and Howes will make their pitch for Las Vegas to MLS officials on Nov. 20 in New York.

City officials plan to hold a special City Council meeting on Dec. 1 to discuss the latest version of the stadium deal and align dates for future action on a potential final agreement.

City officials were unavailable for further comment Tuesday.

Cordish, a development company based in Baltimore, Md., has also promised a $250 million residential and commercial development in Symphony Park as part of the proposed stadium deal.

Several City Council members such as Stavros Anthony and Bob Beers oppose any use of public dollars to build the stadium, while Mayor Carolyn Goodman has been the chief advocate of subsidizing the venue. The MLS would have 17 regular season home games at the proposed stadium, and a few other exhibition matches.

The Findlay-Cordish team said the stadium would draw an average game attendance of 18,000 fans.

Contact reporter Alan Snel at asnel@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5273. Find him on Twitter: @BicycleManSnel