NBA Commissioner David Stern has been adamant in his disdain for the sports books of Las Vegas booking action on his league’s games. He is so opposed to our legal and regulated sports betting in Las Vegas and Nevada, that he’s vowed never to locate a franchise in Las Vegas, unless those games come off the boards—as was a prerequisite for last month’s All-Star Weekend.

But during press conferences and media interviews throughout the week leading up to the game, Stern seemed to show some softening on the sports betting issue… at least a little.

Stern has asked Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman to develop a proposal that would appease both the casino operators and the league. Should Goodman’s proposal meet league approval—and mainly franchise owners’ approval—Stern said he would consider a Las Vegas franchise.

“The players love Las Vegas, so I have them in my pocket,” Goodman said. “I just think it’s the natural progression that Las Vegas will become an NBA franchise city.”

Stern said gambling remains the 800-pound gorilla: “I know there is one issue. It’s a tiny little issue we have about betting on basketball games.”

Stern said the problem is not about the morality of gaming or fears of fixed games, the issue, he said, is that he wants fans to care about the home team winning, regardless of whether it covered the spread.

The last remaining issue is an arena to replace the aging Thomas and Mack. Goodman has all but guaranteed the city will build a new arena, but the issue remains: can he broker a deal that satisfies two disparate parties and bring the big leagues to Las Vegas to stay?

By Greg Jones

Greg Jones is managing editor of Casino Connection Nevada, as well as associate editor of Global Gaming Business magazine.

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