Several years before the NHL approved the Vegas Golden Knights as Las Vegas’ first major professional sports franchise, Major League Soccer nearly beat them to it.

In 2014, Findlay Sports & Entertainment and the Cordish Companies unveiled plans for a $200 million soccer stadium at Symphony Park in downtown Las Vegas, with hopes of landing an MLS expansion franchise. It never materialized.

Now, soccer may be back in the conversation.

The Athletic reports that a special committee of MLS owners met this month to discuss the future of the Vancouver franchise, including the possibility of relocation — with Las Vegas emerging as the primary destination under consideration. Indianapolis, Phoenix and Sacramento were also named as top contenders.

But just as in 2014, a familiar question looms: Where would the team play?

Starr Vegas has proposed a $10 billion Strip development that includes a 50,000-seat soccer stadium, though its developers have not been in contact with MLS, according to The Athletic. Meanwhile, the Vancouver franchise is on the market, and its lease at BC Place expires this year.

Las Vegas has proven to be fertile ground for professional sports. 

The Raiders, who relocated from the Bay Area in 2020, are now valued at $11 billion — up from $2.38 billion in 2017, before the move was finalized — according to Forbes.