A Nevada district court has denied the A’s request to “get involved in a lawsuit between a state teachers’ union and the state itself,” saying that the state “can handle the matter on its own,” according to Bill Shaikin of the L.A. TIMES. The A’s had argued they “needed to intervene” because “millions of dollars” would be at risk if the A’s “did not satisfy the development timelines enacted in SB1,” the legislation that authorized the public financing for the franchise’s new Las Vegas ballpark. But District Judge Kristin Leon wrote the A’s intervention would be “likely to cause delay and increased costs” in resolving the litigation. Leon also wrote that the “team’s interests would be represented by the state and associated local agencies, all of whom want the stadium built.” The court has not yet set a hearing date to consider the state’s request to throw out the case, although both sides have filed formal arguments. The Las Vegas Stadium Authority is “expected to discuss progress on the proposed stadium” at its regularly scheduled meeting July 18. Shaikin notes under SB1, the authorization for the public funding could expire if the if the A’s “have not executed a development agreement and lease agreement within 18 months of MLB relocation approval,” which was granted eight months ago. The new ballpark is targeted for opening in 2028 (L.A. TIMES, 7/2).
