LAS VEGAS (AP) — The man who brought Triple-A baseball to Nevada has died at age 82.
Las Vegas Aviators officials announced the death of Larry Koentopp on Saturday. The cause of death wasn't released.
Koentopp was majority owner of the Spokane Indians when the team relocated from Washington state to southern Nevada in September 1982.
The renamed Las Vegas Stars began play in April 1983 and won Pacific Coast League championships in 1986 and 1988.
The team was called the Las Vegas 51s from 2001 through last season and were rebranded last month as the Aviators, who'll be the top minor league affiliate of the Oakland Athletics.
Aviators President Don Logan says Koentopp "was an outstanding baseball executive."
Koentopp is survived by four children, a brother and one grandson.
Funeral plans are pending.