Entertainment heavyweights, David Beckham make pitch for Las Vegas stadium

Backers of a $1.4 billion domed stadium that could bring the Oakland Raiders to Las Vegas include one of the most powerful entertainment companies in the world and a gaming giant, Steve Wynn.

Turns out Wynn took the stadium idea to Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson three or four years ago, according to a Las Vegas Sands executive.

Tim Leiweke, former president and CEO of Anschutz Entertainment Group, and soccer legend David Beckham spoke on behalf of the Oakland Raiders and Adelson’s Las Vegas Sands Corp. at the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee hearing Thursday in UNLV’s Stan Fulton Building.

Leiweke and Beckham, who have been teaming up on a bid for a Major League Soccer franchise in Miami, pitched the soccer possibilities for the proposed 65,000-seat stadium.

“The Sands and Raiders brought us in for our expertise,” Leiweke told me after the session. Beckham also has business ties to Las Vegas Sands.

Leiweke’s company, Oak View Group, is a venture between Azoff Music and Madison Square Garden. The goal is to help venues boost profits from live events.

“Our job was to try to help them figure out how to formulate a plan, get it done, get it approved, operate it and make sure we sell it,” he said.

Irving Azoff, said Lieweke, “is the most powerful manager in the music business and the most respected man in the music business.” Having that expertise helps when “going out to the Live Nations of the world that have the big tours.”

“Everyone says they all want to come here, they all want to stay here but they desperately need a stadium and it’s the one thing Vegas has never had,” he said. The valley’s only stadium, aging, outdated Sam Boyd Stadium, is at the eastern edge of the valley and seats only 40,000.

“Interestingly enough, the Entertainment Capital of the World doesn’t have the venue for most of these events, and this is the missing piece that makes Vegas probably the most important city in the world for live entertainment,” Lieweke said.

There’s no denying they have connections. Leiweke’s brother, Tod, is the NFL’s chief operating officer.

I asked Robert Goldstein, Adelson’s second-in-command, about rumors that Wynn is on board if the Raiders make the move to Las Vegas.

“Actually, Steve came to Sheldon and I three, four years ago and discussed bringing a domed stadium and this very idea came out of his mouth,” said Goldstein.

“We discussed the prospect,” he added. “At that point the NFL didn’t seem viable, it didn’t make sense. I haven’t spoken to Steve recently, but I think you’ll find, yes, we have his support.”

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Cast members of “Raiding the Rock Vault,” who headline at the Tropicana, are tapping the ceremonial keg of Maibock tonight at 6:30 at Hofbrauhaus.

ON THIS DAY

April 29, 1989: Jon Bon Jovi and his longtime girlfriend Dorothea Hurley sneak off from a concert tour stop in Los Angeles to get married at the Graceland Wedding Chapel. Twelve years later they renew their vows there and he stages a concert in the parking lot for the 75 couples doing the same.

SIGHTINGS

Lionel Richie, celebrating with a party of 75 at Strip House on Wednesday after his opening night of “All The Hits” at Axis Theater (Planet Hollywood Resort) on Wednesday. … Star chef Daniel Boulud, kicking off the 10th annual Vegas Uncork’d culinary event on Thursday in front of The Venetian. … Brandon Flowers, Mark Stoermer and Ronnie Vannucci of the Killers, flipping through the vinyl racks in 11th Street Records on Fremont Street on Wednesday. … Boy George, a 1980s music icon, taking in Richie’s show on Wednesday. … Super Bowl-winning quarterback Joe Theismann, backstage after meeting the cast of “Jersey Boys” (Paris Las Vegas) on Wednesday. … Superstar violinist Joshua Bell, congratulating Frankie Moreno after his “Under the Influence” show Tuesday at Planet Hollywood. …

Nightclub mogul Victor Drai and Steve Wynn, ending their long feud Sunday at Drai’s rooftop wedding at his nightclub atop the Cromwell. The former business partners had a famous falling out in 2010 when Drai, who had operated Wynn’s nightclubs with Jessie and Cy Waits, left to go on his own. Drai married Yolanda Krupiarz. Guests included Chris Brown and Trey Songz, Quincy Jones, Wynn’s ex, Elaine Wynn, restaurateur Elizabeth Blau, Bob Arum, Cirque du Soleil CEO Mitch Garber and George Maloof.

THE PUNCH LINE

“According to a new study, people with several plants around their homes often live longer. Willie Nelson was like, ‘Oh hell yeah!’” — Seth Meyers

The Las Vegas Review-Journal is owned by the family of Sheldon Adelson, chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corp., operator of The Venetian.

Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. On Twitter: @Norm_Clarke