LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — Las Vegas could be on the verge of landing an NBA expansion team, but a major question remains unresolved: where the team would play.
One of the groups pushing to build a new home for a prospective franchise is the Las Vegas Diamond Arena group. If built, the proposed arena would sit across the street from Mandalay Bay on Las Vegas Boulevard, north of Russell Road.
The plan calls for a 21,212-seat arena that would host an NBA expansion franchise, and the group has been taking and making calls with multiple potential ownership groups.
Las Vegas Diamond Arena (Courtesy: Las Vegas Diamond Arena)
Spokesperson Tom Letizia said the development entity behind the proposal is Chetak Development, a consortium that most notably includes attorney Will Kemp. Letizia said, “There are a few arena selections being thrown around. We believe that we offer the most viable site.”
Beyond the arena itself, the proposal includes major transportation changes. The group wants to build a new intersection at Russell Road and Las Vegas Boulevard and a new four-lane road intended to move riders from Interstate 15 to Tropicana Avenue. Letizia said, “If completed, it would be the first intersection on Las Vegas Boulevard in 60 years.”
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The planned work would reshape what is currently a three-way intersection at Russell Road and Las Vegas Boulevard, where drivers coming off I-15 near the airport must turn right or left. Under the proposal, a new four-lane road would be built to serve arena traffic and also provide another route for northbound I-15 drivers heading to Harry Reid International Airport.
How much the project would cost, and who would pay for it, has not been announced. Asked about whether the project would be privately funded or involve public money, Letizia said, “Well, the final cost and funding structure has not been announced yet. Those details depend on completed engineering and the final project scope. They also depend on land agreements and coordination among participating public and private parties. So we expect specifics should be released when they are finalized.”
The proposal also raises questions about the Little Church of the West, a historic chapel on the east side of Las Vegas Boulevard near the project area. Over multiple phone calls, the church’s owner said he knew less about the project than News 3 and said he welcomes an NBA arena in the area as long as construction does not interfere with roadway access to his business.
UNLV historian Michael Green said the south end of the Strip has seen significant sports development and that an NBA arena would add to that momentum. “There has been a lot towards the south end in terms of sports,” Green said. “And an NBA arena would kind of be the cherry on top.”
How weddings shaped Las Vegas’ rise as the world’s wedding capital{ }(KSNV/ Little Church of the West)
Green also pointed to the Little Church of the West’s historical significance, noting its connection to the former Last Frontier property. “It was kind of a themed resort in the 1940s,” Green said. “So if we think of the themed resorts that have come along since, the Little Church of the West is a throwback to that.” He added, “I would think Little Church of the West has to be considered the most historic of the chapels,” and said, “Ideally, we will be able to keep it where it is or at the very least preserve it.”
Letizia said the Diamond Arena proposal is designed to avoid harming the chapel. “The proposed project will not disrupt the Little Church of the West, its weddings, its guests, access or historical character,” he said. “The Little Church of the West is an iconic part of Las Vegas history and protecting it has always been a priority. The roadway alignment and planning are designed so the chapel remains open and accessible through the process. The project team will work closely with the chapel to ensure its operations continue without interruption.”
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Some residents said they see the broader roadwork as necessary regardless of whether the arena is built. Rideshare driver Robert Martin said, “I have lived here for 24 years. In 24 years, I have seen this city expand.” Martin said traffic in the area is already a concern and pointed to the planned A’s stadium as another reason additional road capacity may be needed. “That area gets clogged up,” Martin said. “Think what happens when that baseball stadium opens up?”
The NBA’s September Board of Governors meeting is expected to make it near official that an NBA team will play in Las Vegas, with the league set to meet to approve a franchise to award to the city. From there, bids would likely be heard. There has been no clear indication who has the upper hand in securing an expansion franchise or which group would ultimately be selected to build an arena, and some residents remain concerned about the possibility of taxpayers helping fund arena construction.
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The Diamond Arena proposal is one of several sites that have been discussed for an NBA venue in Las Vegas. Other active sites and rumored locations include a Vici Properties parcel of about 50 acres that the company has indicated could support an NBA arena; the Starr Vegas proposal, which would place an NBA arena and possible MLS stadium south of Bali Hai Golf Club; a downtown Las Vegas stadium location near The Smith Center that Mayor Shelley Berkley has indicated she would like; a north Strip arena proposal from Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom; and T-Mobile Arena, the current home of the Golden Knights.
Reported bidders for ownership of a Las Vegas NBA franchise include the Colangelo family, former NBA owner Marc Lasry, Walmart heiress Nancy Walton Laurie, and Golden Knights owner Bill Foley. Letizia said the Diamond Arena group has also met with at least one ownership group that has not been publicly announced.
