Should NBA boss David Stern allow Las Vegas to have an NBA team? Get Stephen Nover's view by going to the RX home page at www.theprescription.com
Charlie
Charlie
Chris, I actually attended the games where the Utah Jazz played at the Thomas and Mack in Las Vegas.
Don't forget, it's a little different when you are going to a game where you really don't have a "HOME TEAM" to root for. Plus, those games were played many years ago when the Las Vegas population was much less than it is now.
I'm not saying Vegas is ready to support an NBA franchise right now, but the city is close and should not be penalized because they allow gambling.
Charlie
Don't forget, it's a little different when you are going to a game where you really don't have a "HOME TEAM" to root for. Plus, those games were played many years ago when the Las Vegas population was much less than it is now.
I'm not saying Vegas is ready to support an NBA franchise right now, but the city is close and should not be penalized because they allow gambling.
Charlie
In a heartbeat, the chicken brothers in Vegas would welcome a team in town. Turst me, I've talked to George time and agasin on the issue and David Stern only cares about the money issue, and Vegas would bring in the dimes like crazy in the long run, even Stern will admit that off the record.
The books would at most accept not taking action on the Vegas team's games. I can't see them letting anything else go. After all part of the reason why a team has never made it is that the close-minded casino heads think that a sports team is competition for their product. In a way they are right, entertainment dollars must go somewhere, but they miss the point about the innumerable advertising draw it gives, not to mention extra incremental visitation.
I still maintain that the NHL is the league that should start out in Vegas. Hockey in a good stadium and with no other sports teams to compete with to start out would do very well, it is the one sport that just depends on die hard fans more than a large population base. TV revenues aren't even an issue and the gambling issue is meaningless. I don't think the NHL could say no, they already give the ok to state sponsored betting in Canada using the NHL games. Add to that if they really did insist on getting rid of the betting, the books surely wouldn't fight it. I don't think baseball or football would ever make it too well, not enough people around to support it, especially when it comes to TV dollars. NBA is a marginal prospect at best, too many teams out there playing to half-full stadiums. NHL has a much better record with getting support in all but a couple of cities where it doesn't really belong. If you want a successful model, just look at Phoenix. The stadium until the new one is just horrible for hockey and there hasn't been a real good team their whole stay there. Yet they got a new stadium built and projections are for very good crowds. It helps that they have about 1.5 million more people, but they have such tough sports competition there I think a lone team in Vegas would do very well as long as it had decent owners and didn't have another sports team coming in a year or two after it started.
I still maintain that the NHL is the league that should start out in Vegas. Hockey in a good stadium and with no other sports teams to compete with to start out would do very well, it is the one sport that just depends on die hard fans more than a large population base. TV revenues aren't even an issue and the gambling issue is meaningless. I don't think the NHL could say no, they already give the ok to state sponsored betting in Canada using the NHL games. Add to that if they really did insist on getting rid of the betting, the books surely wouldn't fight it. I don't think baseball or football would ever make it too well, not enough people around to support it, especially when it comes to TV dollars. NBA is a marginal prospect at best, too many teams out there playing to half-full stadiums. NHL has a much better record with getting support in all but a couple of cities where it doesn't really belong. If you want a successful model, just look at Phoenix. The stadium until the new one is just horrible for hockey and there hasn't been a real good team their whole stay there. Yet they got a new stadium built and projections are for very good crowds. It helps that they have about 1.5 million more people, but they have such tough sports competition there I think a lone team in Vegas would do very well as long as it had decent owners and didn't have another sports team coming in a year or two after it started.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by sherman:
If Stern is against gambling (I don't believe that) why is there an WNBA team that plays INSIDE a casino?!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Because the casino doesn't have a sportsbook.
It is a VERY weak excuse on Stern's part...but that's the official excuse.
If Stern is against gambling (I don't believe that) why is there an WNBA team that plays INSIDE a casino?!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Because the casino doesn't have a sportsbook.
It is a VERY weak excuse on Stern's part...but that's the official excuse.
Your right, I do remember hearing that....
Stern is so full of shit....
I HATE the NBA now and the only reason I pay any attention to it is because of wagering possibilities. I'm sure there are MANY people who feel the same way....he doesn't want sports gambling to go away.....he needs it!
Stern is so full of shit....
I HATE the NBA now and the only reason I pay any attention to it is because of wagering possibilities. I'm sure there are MANY people who feel the same way....he doesn't want sports gambling to go away.....he needs it!
Ties to gambling aren't a big deal in sports, every team in their arena seems to have some ads for it. How about in the World Series where a big fat tribal gaming ad was on left field wall? Everytime you saw the Gonzalez homer in Game 4 you got a great shot of an ad for gambling, so that certainly won't be stopped. Fact is that gambling is a brand extension if you will, and every business just hates the thought of someone making money off their good name. If the leagues got a cut like they do in hockey, where the money supports the Alberta teams a little, then I am sure this argument would be a lot quieter. On the other hand so many people think if you have sponsored gambling on something it is subject to rigging so I don't think this debate every can really end. But you are right, every sport gains from gamblers and even though they will never say it, CNN and ESPN make serious ratings gains just by having a score ticker on their channels.
UNLV and UNR are on the board now. John McCain claimed that Nevada was hypocritical for not taking action on them so next thing you know the "yes men" of the state said lets book those games. Since it started it has been a non-event, bookies say they don't get much more action on the local teams than they do on any other board game. They do like it for bowl season, they say they write some decent action. I suppose they are just hopeful that BYU doesn't play in it anytime soon!
I agree with sherman, it is hypocritical of Stern and the NBA to keep taking this stance when the Mohegun Sun hosts a WNBA team.
Also, another problem with this town is that the population numbers are diminished because if a game tips off at 7:30, a great number of people are unable to attend because they are working at that hour. The number is much more disproportionate than a comparable city. I know I'd love to attend Rebel games, but rarely get to go because I am working 5 of the 7 nights a week.
Also, another problem with this town is that the population numbers are diminished because if a game tips off at 7:30, a great number of people are unable to attend because they are working at that hour. The number is much more disproportionate than a comparable city. I know I'd love to attend Rebel games, but rarely get to go because I am working 5 of the 7 nights a week.
I don't think the percentage is terribly higher in favor, but I suppose it is a bit of a factor. More and more though the percentage of casino workers against non-casino workers is getting smaller as the town grows and new businesses are brought in or started. I mean if it truly were more balanced to having more off 9-5 hours then traffic wouldn't be so bad around the 7-8:30 and 4-6 timeframe.
