Cowboys consider LV exhibition

Build it and they will come.

With the $18 million refurbishing of Sam Boyd Stadium proceeding on schedule, UNLV is close to getting a commitment from the Dallas Cowboys to play a preseason football game prior to the 2000 season at the revamped 40,000-seat facility.

"It's nothing definite yet, but we have had some talks with the Cowboys and they seem very interested," stadium director Pat Christenson said. "Just recently the Cowboys looked at the stadium and seemed very interested in the concept."

Christenson said he has spoken with a number of NFL teams about playing preseason games at the new Sam Boyd Stadium but that the Cowboys, a k a America's Team, are the frontrunner.

"We hope to have it nailed down by the start of this season," Christenson said.

Who would the Cowboys play?

"We haven't gotten that far yet," Christenson said. "But they would probably pick the team that they would play."

Cowboys public relations director Rich Dalrymple would neither confirm nor deny the Cowboys had begun negotiations to play in Las Vegas.

"From time to time, people make propositions about scrimmages and preseason games," Dalrymple said. "Because we get approached (so often) we don't make any public comments (about negotiations)."

When Dalrymple was asked when the Cowboys might announce their 2000 preseason schedule he said "about this time next year."

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello could not be reached for comment today. Any NFL preseason game to be played in Las Vegas would have to be OK'd by the league office.

Christenson also is working to bring international soccer games to Sam Boyd Stadium.

"We're looking at four or five different concepts," he said. "We'd like to bring some of the top teams in here. Whether that's for a tournament or exhibitions remains to be worked out."

Christenson said construction on Boyd Stadium is progressing on schedule for its Sept. 18 debut when UNLV and new head coach John Robinson entertain Iowa State.

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