The D casino owner Derek Stevens loves hockey, growing up as a big Detroit Red Wings fan.
The new Vegas Golden Knights are looking for corporate sponsors who will support the team’s mission of growing hockey in the desert.
So, a corporate partnership between the Golden Knights and Stevens was a natural fit between the expansion NHL franchise and the downtown hotel-casino owner.
It was a six-year deal, which allows The D to be the downtown epicenter for Golden Knights watch parties and events, while Stevens pledged $100,000 to the team’s foundation to help pay for youth hockey programs in the Las Vegas market.
“I had a chance to see the how the Red Wings impacted the community in Detroit and I wanted to be the first downtown casino in Las Vegas to work with the Golden Knights,” Steven said.
Team President Kerry Bubolz and Coach Gerard Gallant joined Stevens and Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman on stage at the Fremont Experience for the afternoon announcement today.
Here’s Bubolz after the announcement on the Fremont Street Experience.