Study after study has concluded that stadiums aren’t effective economic development drivers.
But a leading urban growth researcher says Orlando and Las Vegas are exceptions because of the strength of their regions’ tourism economies.
Robert Lang, executive director of Brookings Mountain West and the Lincy Institute, on Thursday said Southern Nevada’s lack of a quality venue to attract major special events has hampered its ability to capitalize on its core economic strength — entertainment and sports special events.
Lang and four other panelists discussed issues surrounding the arrival of major-league sports teams to Southern Nevada and the venues that house them in a session sponsored by the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Foundation of Greater Las Vegas.