MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said he believes the Oakland Athletics’ chances of staying in the Bay Area are fading, which increases the chances for Las Vegas to land the team via relocation.

Talking to sports talk show host Chris Russo on Saturday on Sirius XM radio, Manfred said he is no longer optimistic about the A’s staying in Oakland, despite the work carried out to try to make the $12 billion Howard Terminal project in the Bay Area a reality.

“I think the mayor in Oakland has made a huge effort to try to get it done in Oakland. It just doesn’t look like it’s going to happen,” Manfred said. “I think the A’s have proceeded prudently in terms of exploring the Las Vegas alternative, given the lack of pace in Oakland. I think they have to look for an alternative.”

The A’s have been researching a potential relocation to Las Vegas for the better part of the last 17 months. Team owner John Fisher and President Dave Kaval are among the A’s brass who have met with various politicians, casino owners and other key players in Las Vegas during that time.

The team has whittled down a potential Southern Nevada site list from more than 20 to just two. The A’s are down to the Tropicana hotel site and the Las Vegas Festival Grounds as their remaining sites for the construction of a 35,000-seat domed stadium.

A source with knowledge of the Las Vegas dealings said, “Vegas has a real opportunity if they step up, before potential other markets are introduced.”

For a deal to Las Vegas to occur, Nevada officials would have to offer some form of public funding, the source indicated. That wouldn’t necessarily have to be a new room tax like the Raiders received, but there would have to be some sort of assistance to construct a potential $1 billion ballpark in Southern Nevada.

The source didn’t indicate what other cities could come into the fray if Las Vegas doesn’t.

The majority of elected officials in Nevada and the Clark County area have been reluctant to offer much in the form of public assistance to draw the A’s to the area.

Steve Hill, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, did say there is a potential for some form of public assistance outside of a room tax, mainly tied to the potential of revenue generated by a tax district if the stadium is built in the resort corridor.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Contact Mick Akers at [email protected] or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.