Goodman's full-court press switches from NBA to Microsoft

Courting the NBA and potential investors in a sports arena have generated headlines, but Mayor Oscar Goodman said he is making even more progress wooing industry to Las Vegas.

Topping the city's list of coveted companies is the omnipresent Microsoft, which Goodman has been courting since he took office in June.

Gaining an audience with Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, however, has been no easy task. In fact, after weeks of trying to speak with Gates by phone, Goodman said he would wait for the Comdex computer trade show to try and sell Gates on the benefits of relocating part of his business to Las Vegas.

Although Microsoft officials invited Goodman to hear Gates speak on Sunday, the mayor was the one who couldn't make the meeting this time because the speech was being held at the Venetian hotel-casino.

"Because I'm honoring the picket there, I couldn't go," Goodman said.

Venetian owner Sheldon Adelson has been fighting labor unions and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority for months. Goodman's position on the LVCVA, and the need for any savvy politician to have labor on his or her side, made it impossible for him to go to the hotel.

"But, I've been invited to come up to Redmond, Wash.," Goodman said. "Apparently they're very interested in Las Vegas."

Goodman even joked that he could offer his legal prowess to help solve Microsoft's legal entanglements with the federal government over alleged monopolistic behavior.

"How about five little Microsofts, instead of one big one?" Goodman joked, hoping such a split could create a business campus here.

Goodman has previously touted Las Vegas as a site for a Microsoft operation because of the city's low taxes, affordable cost-of-living and the annual hosting of Comdex.

Other "nonpolluting" industries Goodman has been seeking, include Hollywood producers of film and television.

He recently visited Los Angeles to meet with officials of Mandalay Productions, who are said to be interested in building a studio in Las Vegas.

"I have a meeting again next month," Goodman said. "I think this can really happen."

But that's not to say Goodman is giving up hope of a professional sports franchise. In fact, he said Thursday, one current NBA owner plans to speak with Commissioner David Stern about moving his team to Las Vegas.

Goodman has repeatedly refused to disclose identity of the owner.

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