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Centennial Commission approves $100,000 supplemental grant to Plaza Hotel for Eldorado rodeo after debate over brand ownership
Summary
After a presentation by Plaza Hotel leaders and extended questioning about costs and trademark control, the Centennial Commission voted to grant an additional $100,000 for the 2026 Eldorado rodeo, with one commissioner opposed. Plaza officials said they hope to return with a multi‑year licensing proposal.
The Commission for the Las Vegas Centennial voted to provide an additional $100,000 to the Plaza Hotel to support the 2026 Eldorado rodeo, after a lengthy presentation and debate over the event’s finances and the Plaza’s request for greater control of the Eldorado brand.
Jonathan Jocelyn, CEO of the Plaza Hotel in downtown Las Vegas, told commissioners the Plaza has rebuilt the rodeo’s attendance and is seeking more certainty to continue the event. "We don't own El Dorado. You guys or the city owns El Dorado," Jocelyn said, arguing that owning or holding exclusive rights to the name would let the Plaza justify further investment.
The commission pressed the Plaza on costs and prior reporting. Paul Bresnahan of the finance department noted some past budget and spending reports had been provided but several commissioners said they had not received the final receipts required by the grant contract. Commissioner Truesdale said he wanted to see subsidy-per-ticket figures and demonstrated trends before agreeing to increased or extended funding.
City Attorney Jeff Dorkak told the commission that the current agenda and grant language limited action to calendar-year 2028 and that longer-term license agreements or ownership changes would require separate council action. "We already have a license agreement with the Plaza for the use of the trademark, Eldorado Days," Dorkak said, adding that any exclusivity period would need to be memorialized in a future agreement.
Faced with competing proposals — an immediate multi-year commitment at a lower annual amount versus a one-year supplement and a later licensing agreement — the commission agreed to add $100,000 to the Plaza’s existing $100,000 award for 2026, bringing the total for the year to $200,000, and to invite the Plaza back with a formal multi-year proposal. The motion passed by voice vote; the commission recorded one no vote from Commissioner Stotel.
The commission asked the Plaza to provide clearer budget details and receipts called for in the original contract and encouraged the Plaza to return with a licensing proposal and specific accountability metrics if it seeks multi-year public funding.
The supplemental grant will be executed consistent with the grant agreement and city-attorney review; the Plaza said it intends to move the rodeo to May in 2027 to better align with the parade and to grow attendance over time.
