Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau
DeMarcus Cousins, right, of the United States sets a pick on Nicolas Laprovittola of Argentina as Paul George drives to the basket during a USA Basketball exhibition game at T-Mobile Arena on July 22. MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren said Wednesday the company is trying to attract an NBA team to play at T-Mobile.
Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016 | 3:12 p.m.
An MGM Resorts International spokesperson confirmed the company is trying to attract an NBA franchise to Las Vegas.
KNPR-FM reported on its website that Jim Murren, CEO of MGM Resorts International, wants to bring an NBA team, most likely an existing one, rather than a new franchise, to T-Mobile Arena.
“It wouldn’t be an expansion team,” Murren told KNPR’s State of Nevada in a wide-ranging interview. “It would most likely be relocation of a team.”
Portions of the interview will air at 8:50 a.m. Thursday. The full interview will air at 9 p.m. Nov. 1.
When contacted about Murren’s statement, company spokespeople would only say that it was true and would not provide any further details.
T-Mobile Arena, which opened earlier this year, will host the town’s first major professional franchise — a NHL team — starting next October. The $375 million arena was privately built in a partnership by MGM and AEG.
The NFL’s Oakland Raiders are also attempting to relocate to Las Vegas, eyeing a new $1.9 billion stadium. Nevada lawmakers approved $750 million in public funding for earlier this month. The Raiders’ move requires approval of 24 of the league’s 32 owners in a vote that’s not expected until early 2017.
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