Silver State Baseball LLC owner Chris Milam is to acquire the Las Vegas 51s baseball team after formally agreeing a contract with Stevens Baseball Group LLC.

Milam said the deal, which is expected to be completed by the end of the July, was central to plans for the US$1.95bn (£1.2bn) Las Vegas National Sports Center project A new ballpark is to be created as part of the scheme, alongside two privately-owned venues - a 17,500-seat NBA basketball arena and a 36,000-seat Major League Soccer stadium.

Under the plans for the complex, the ballpark will be able to expand to 36,000 seats if Major League Baseball games are secured in the future. Meanwhile, the soccer venue can expand to 50,000 seats for NCAA events and international friendlies, with the potential for further expansion to 75,000 for NFL American Football.

Milam said: "Acquiring this franchise is an important step in the creation of the Las Vegas National Sports Center which will be the new home of the 51s." Las Vegas 51s general manager Don Logan added: "In my more than 25 years with the team, the Las Vegas National Sports Center is by far the most innovative and realistic opportunity for that to happen."