It is every down-on-his-luck guy’s fantasy: almost tapped out in Vegas, but rallying from the depths to become a big success. Only in this case, the story’s true. When he and his wife arrived in the Nevada desert in 1964, Oscar Goodman had $87 in his pockets. Today, Goodman is the mayor of Las Vegas, a town that is in the midst of an attempt to become, if not the sports capital of the United States, at least basketball’s home. This summer, the U.S. men’s national team will train there for the world championships. Next winter, the city will host the NBA All-Star Game. Recently, Mayor Goodman talked about some of his dreams, past, present and future.
Oscar Goodman: How’s Mayor (John) Hickenlooper?
Anthony Cotton: I think he’s good. He decided not to run for governor.
OG: I’m making the same decision.
AC: I’m guessing that if you get 86 percent of the vote (which Goodman did in 2003), people want you in office.
OG: I don’t know. I’m still looking for the other 14 percent.
AC: How do you decide what to do?
OG: It’s the happiness barometer. I think Mayor Hickenlooper and I are happier being mayors. It’s probably better being the mayor of Denver or the mayor of Las Vegas because nobody knows who the governors are.
AC: So when you get to Vegas with $87, do you run to the bank or double down at a blackjack table?
OG: With $87, you pray you get a job. I got one in the district attorney’s office, and my wife got one in advertising and publicity at one of the hotels, and it’s been good since.
AC: So you went from the DA’s office to what some might call a very interesting clientele as a criminal defense attorney. How does that happen?
OG: All by accident, quite frankly. My wife is a very, very good blackjack player, and I would go with her and hang out with the dealers. One night, a call came in with someone asking who the best criminal lawyer was in Las Vegas. I had done a bankruptcy for a guy, and somebody said, “Call Oscar.” It turned out the guy was a big shot in bookmaking and other reportedly illegal activities. I represented his stepbrother and won, and from that point on I would get phone calls from everybody who had a problem.
AC: Does one want to be known as “The Lawyer to the Mob?”
OG: A mob lawyer? Sure. It was a compliment. Some people called me a consigliere, but I was just a very good lawyer.
AC: So how does that compare to dealing with (NBA commissioner) David Stern?
OG: He’s a friend now. We look forward to seeing each other. We each have a big smile on our face when we see each other. I’m a big fan of his. We just disagree on one thing: He doesn’t want an NBA franchise located where there’s sports betting, and I think the regulation of sports betting in Nevada is the best thing that’s happened to amateur and professional sports. One of these days, one of us is going to cave in.
AC: You have managed to get the NBA All-Star Game and the Olympic summer camp.
OG: And that’s strong. As a matter of fact, I’m meeting with Coach K (national team coach Mike Krzyzewski) this weekend.
AC: When the All-Star Game comes, you’re taking it off the books, correct?
OG: I was reluctant to ask the casino owners to do it, but they felt it was a terrific opportunity for Las Vegas. There was no disagreement whatsoever.
AC: How much are we talking about, in terms of lost betting?
OG: Peanuts. It’s an exhibition game that doesn’t get much play at all. They won’t blink an eye over that one.
AC: And the long-term goal is to get a pro sports franchise there?
OG: I would love to have an NBA franchise here.
AC: NBA, as opposed to major-league baseball?
OG: I’d love to have a major-league team here, but I think it’s easier to build an arena and get the NBA here than to build a domed stadium. An NBA team here would be a sure bet. We’ve supported the university, we’ve lionized the people who were part of the glory days there. I think the same thing would happen with the NBA. If Dallas was America’s team in the NFL, we would be the world’s team in basketball.
AC: You say you and the commissioner still have this one area of disagreement …
OG: But I think there’ll be a different perception by the league once they experience the summer training camp and the 10 days here for the All-Star Game. The players will express a great desire to have a franchise here. I think the owners will importune the commissioner to restudy his position. At the end of the day, and I say this with all the respect in the world for David Stern, I feel confident that we will have a team.
AC: But I would think …
OG: Don’t think – that’s where you get into trouble.
AC: There must be people there who would say it wouldn’t be worth it to have a team there if NBA games had to be taken off the books.
OG: And it would be hypocritical of me to ask the casino owners to make any sort of concession like that. I think gambling on games is fun. We’re the only state that regulates and looks at potential irregularities as far as sports are concerned. It would be a slap in their faces if I even suggested that. I want the games to be bet on and for business as usual. I don’t see anything wrong with it.
AC: Having dealt with the commissioner a bit, I think if you’re expecting to change his mind at the All-Star Game, it’s going to have to be a heck of a show.
OG: As I say, we’re definitely two forces to contend with. I have all the respect in the world for him.
AC: Well, I appreciate your time.
OG: Believe it or not, Mayor Hickenlooper and I went to the same high school. I’m older than him, but I get a kick out of him. We were at a party at a conference for mayors a few years ago and he sat down at the piano. He’s a very talented guy.
AC: That’s what people say about you.
OG: I don’t know about that – I can’t play the piano.
Anthony Cotton can be reached at 303-820-1292 or acotton@denverpost.com.
