💰 Mark Cuban bets big on Vegas

A good investor gets in on the action early — and that appears to be the case with Mark Cuban. The “Shark Tank” business mogul and former owner of the Dallas Mavericks leads an investment group that bought a minority stake in the A’s, specifically viewing the baseball team’s move to Las Vegas as “one of the greatest sports investment opportunities of our generation” according to a partner. [Associated Press]

The team is playing in Sacramento, but remains on track to arrive in Las Vegas by the 2028 season. [City Cast Las Vegas ✍️]

That cash influx will be put to good use. The A’s are taking responsibility for $45 million in additional work near its in-progress stadium, including a six-story parking garage and on-site utility plant. [Las Vegas Review-Journal]

Those components were originally going to be covered by Bally’s Corp. as part of a neighboring resort — a project that’s facing delays and, depending on who you believe, was never supposed to be ready at the same time as the stadium 🤔 [KSNV]

Sports investment is booming in Las Vegas with big-money bids emerging for a proposed NBA team, but UNLV men’s basketball coach Josh Pastner has a better idea: invest in the Runnin’ Rebels instead. It’s far less expensive. [KTNV]

🗳️ The First DNC Primary of 2028 Goes To…

South Carolina — as the Democrats remain determined to repeat the mistakes of 2024. Nevada wanted it bad. [Nevada Independent]

💧 Data Center Demands Water Rights

As Nevada inches closer to signing a two-year agreement with six other states on sharing the Colorado River, someone else wants in on the action. The developer of a $10 billion data center in California’s Imperial Valley filed a lawsuit, demanding river rights for the project. [KLAS]

🏁 F1 Controversy Crosses Finish Line

There’s a reason Steve Dimopoulos can afford all those commercials. The lawyer reached a $3 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit against the Las Vegas Grand Prix over a canceled practice run in the inaugural year. (Remember the loose manhole cover that caused all the drama?) Ticket holders get to split the money — after lawyer fees, of course. [New York Times]

🎰 South Point Teaches Vegas Economics

The South Point says it loses up to $2 million a month on its dining options, including the buffet, which serves about 3,000 daily customers and begins at $16.95 for breakfast. Owner Michael Gaughan says it’s an old-school loss-leading strategy to draw locals and keep the money flowing at the sportsbook and casino games. [Wall Street Journal]

🍹 Nevada Shows Pride in Picon Punch

Nevada has an official state drink — even though almost nobody in Las Vegas has tried it. We’re talking about Picon Punch, a cocktail connected to the Basque immigrant communities of Northern Nevada. It’s the subject of a new documentary: “Piconland”, which has free screenings (with RSVP) at the West Las Vegas Library Wednesday and the Boulder City Library Thursday.

• A Nevada distiller is keeping a vital Picon Punch ingredient in circulation. [City Cast Las Vegas ✍️]
• City Cast Las Vegas has thoughts on the official state drink — and if there should be any other contenders to celebrate Vegas 🍸 [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

Monsoon season has been a snooze so far, but it doesn’t hurt to have a nice collection of umbrellas hanging around — just in case.

Where is it?

A. Great Wall Bookstore in Chinatown Plaza

B. Rosallie Le French Café in Spring Valley

C. Antique Alley Mall in the Arts District

D. Chef Flemming's BakeShop in the Water St. District

Click here to play along and find out where the photo was taken.