LAS VEGAS -- Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, who has long pushed for a downtown sports venue, reignited the buzz Wednesday with a comment that the city was close to a deal.

In reality, a city representative said, it’s not happening that fast. But next week, the city council will discuss a deal to develop 18 acres of downtown land with the Cordish Companies, builders of the Hard Rock resort in Tampa and the Center City District in downtown Louisville, Ken.

If council members agree to work with Cordish, the company will study the feasibility of building an arena, casino and entertainment district on land across from City Hall and where the building stands now.

City representative Jace Radke stressed there was no agreement to build an arena.

Goodman’s comment at the Las Vegas Zoo, however, sent reporters scrambling and immediately made the rounds on the Twitter Web site.

A professional Las Vegas sports franchise would be Goodman’s legacy after three terms in office and for years he has had discussions with all four major sports leagues.

Yet, one of the biggest hurdles has always been a venue.

Cashman Field and the Orleans Arena both support the city’s minor league baseball and hockey teams, but creating a new sports franchise or moving an existing team would require a full-fledged arena and a financial commitment few are willing to make right now.