Las Vegas: Gambling & Sports Capital?
by Bodog Casino | May 25 2010
Las Vegas, Nevada has been trying to become as synonymous with sports as it is with casinos and alcohol for decades, and it looks like the dream is closer than ever.
Vegas is pushing to have its very own arena.
The Las Vegas Arena Foundation presented their arena proposal to the Clark County Commissioners today. The proposed iconic Las Vegas arena would be located at Center Strip, near the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard South and Flamingo.
"Our community must have this new arena to maintain our standing as a premier resort destination and the entertainment capital of the world," said Bruce Woodbury, president of the Las Vegas Arena Foundation. “Our Foundation will deliver a state-of-the-art arena that will enable our city to attract a professional sports team from the NHL or NBA. Additionally, this arena will allow Las Vegas to keep vital existing events, like the National Rodeo Finals."
NHL and NBA commissioners have always been hesitant to bring their professional sports to Vegas as it's the gambling capitol of the world. But they'll have a hard time denying a trip with the exposure they'd get in a new arena. Plus, it will create more jobs in a Vegas economy that has been struggling.
"Our Arena Foundation will guarantee that thousands of good-paying union jobs will be created during the construction and into the operation of the arena," said Danny Thompson, board member of the Las Vegas Arena Foundation and president of the AFL-CIO of Nevada. "As a not for profit organization, our Foundation will ensure this arena will be open and available for our entire community, UNLV, casinos and residents."
Besides NFL player Pacman Jones making it rain dollar bills and bullets during the NBA's 2007 All-Star Game the NBA's venture to Vegas was a tremendous success. And we doubt NHL players had a complaint after having their 2010 NHL Awards in Sin City.
If Vegas is able to pull this off, there will be no more excuses to make it our only vacation destination.
