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Las Vegas Stadium Authority rejects talk of jailhouse plans

The Las Vegas Stadium Authority has moved to deny reports that the new home for NFL American football team the Oakland Raiders will feature a small jail and courtroom.

Earlier this week, the Las Vegas Locally news portal cited a local law enforcement official as the source of its information, adding that the facilities would be used to deal with “unruly fans”.

However, the Las Vegas Stadium Authority told the Forbes website: “There will NOT be a jail or a courthouse at the Las Vegas Raiders Stadium. The stadium will have a processing room for law enforcement officials to use, and anyone apprehended will be immediately transported offsite to appropriate detention facilities.”

Forbes noted that such facilities are not a new concept at NFL stadia. Veterans Stadium, the home of the Philadelphia Eagles from 1971 to 2002, had a small jail and makeshift court in its basement to deal with fan-related issues.

Las Vegas Stadium will have a capacity of 65,000 and is projected to cost $1.8bn (£1.3bn/€1.5bn) to build. It is hoped the venue will be ready in time for the 2020 NFL season. With the Raiders’ lease at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum due to expire after the forthcoming 2018 season it is as yet unclear where it will play in 2019.

Image: Las Vegas Stadium