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Could UFC sale help NFL effort?

Posted at 11:26 PM, Jul 11, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-12 03:04:27-04
The timing of the UFC sale has some speculating the Fertitta brothers could be working to bring the NFL to Las Vegas.
 
Talent giant WME-IMG announced its purchase of the world's premier mixed martial arts organization on Monday. The reported price was $4 billion.
 
This after Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta bought the organization for $2 million and are said to own 80 percent of the company.
 
The same day the purchase was announced the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee began discussing the Fertitta Site as a potential location for a 65,000-seat NFL stadium.
 
 
The Fertitta Site is 100 acres around the Wild Wild West Travel Plaza at Tropicana Avenue and Dean Martin Drive owned by Red Rock Resorts. Frank Fertitta is the CEO of the company.
 
The timing of the NFL discussion and the UFC sale have many people speculating it isn't a coincidence.
 
"They say timing is everything, and the timing is perfect right now," said TC Martin with 920 The Game.  "It just makes a lot of sense. Let's face it, they love sports, they love the attraction. They are famous in Las Vegas for being the savior and putting things together. It just seems like a natural fit."
 
City and county leaders are hoping to bring the Oakland Raiders to Las Vegas, but can't decide on a location for the stadium.
 
The price of the proposed stadium is also rising, now sitting at between $1.7 billion and $2.1 billion. The state is currently being asked to cover a large percentage of that cost through hotel taxes.
 
"This really is a big time city and it makes a whole lot of sense for a professional sports franchise," Martin said.
 
The Fertittas aren't the only big names with property available for the stadium.
 
The Wynn Golf Course, behind the famed resort, is also in the running to be the new home of the NFL stadium. Steve Wynn told TMZ he is eager to bring the Raiders to Las Vegas.
 
"I love it! Absolutely love it. I'm really really working hard to make it happen if it's possible," Wynn told TMZ Sports.
 
Red Rock Resorts did not have anyone available to discuss its potential involvement in the NFL stadium project.