Sandoval appoints economic development chief as head of Raiders stadium authority

CARSON CITY — Gov. Brian Sandoval on Thursday tapped his economic development chief to be chairman of the Clark County Stadium Authority, a new body established to oversee construction and operations of a proposed $1.9 billion domed football stadium in Las Vegas.

Steve Hill, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, takes on the added role heading the authority immediately. Hill also chaired the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee, which recommended construction of the 65,000-seat stadium as the proposed future home of the NFL’s Raiders and the UNLV football team.

Sandoval filled out his three appointments to the stadium authority by selecting Dallas Haun, chief executive officer of Nevada State Bank, and Bill Hornbuckle, president of MGM Resorts International. Hornbuckle also served on the infrastructure committee, while Haun serves on UNLV’s Campus Improvement Authority board.

The governor said in a statement that all three appointees “are seasoned, thoughtful and tough negotiators, and all have the added benefit of broad management experience.”

“Their combined experience includes a deep understanding of construction, development, finance, contracts, labor, budgeting and the legislation passed during the last special session of the Legislature.”

Under Senate Bill 1, passed by state lawmakers in a special session in October, the governor appoints three members to the nine-member board. The Clark County Commission is expected to appoint. three members when it meets next week.

By law another member is the executive director in charge of events at UNLV. That position is held by Mike Newcomb, who is in charge of the Thomas & Mack Center, Cox Pavilion and Sam Boyd Stadium

Those seven appointed members will then elect two others to represent the public.

The Clark County treasurer also will serve as a non-voting member.

Board members do not receive any compensation.

Sandoval said the legislation, which raises Clark County’s hotel room tax to finance $750 million of the project’s costs over 30 years, shows “we are investing in Nevada’s most foundational industry by providing for the infrastructure needs of the 21st century.”

Sheldon Adelson, CEO and chairman of Las Vegas Sands Corp., pledged $650 million toward the stadium, and the Raiders have said the team will contribute $500 million. NFL owners could vote as soon as January on the relocation of the Raiders from Oakland, California, to Sin City. If the Raiders don’t move to Southern Nevada, the legislation allows a smaller stadium to be built for UNLV’s football team.

Tourism officials say a stadium will allow Las Vegas to expand its status as a global leader in entertainment by providing a venue large enough to host mega-events like a Beyonce or Bruce Springsteen concert, which draws tens of thousands of fans.

The Clark County Stadium Authority will be responsible for approving the stadium’s location, development plan and operation agreements. It will also manage finances.

The Review-Journal is owned by the family of Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson.

Contact Sandra Chereb at schereb@reviewjournal.com or 775-461-3821. Follow @SandraChereb on Twitter.