Las Vegas Sports-Business World Absorbs Punch to the Gut as MGM Resorts, Wynn Will Shut Down Operations Starting Tuesday in Response to Virus Pandemic
By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
The spread and threat of coronavirus hit Las Vegas in the gut Sunday when two major hotel casino companies on the Strip that are major players in Las Vegas’ sports-business scene announced they are shutting down Tuesday in response to the panedemic virus.
MGM Resorts International, the Strip’s biggest hotel owner and an official betting partner with major leagues like NBA, NHL and MLS, released this statement:
“. . . we will close all of our Las Vegas properties as of Tuesday, March 17th, for the good of our employees, guests and communities. This is a time of uncertainty across our country and the globe and we must all do our part to curtail the spread of this virus. We will plan to reopen our resorts as soon as it safe to do so and we will continue to support our employees, guests, and communities in every way that we can during this period of closure.”
MGM Resorts will not be taking reservations for arrivals prior to May 1, according to the MGM Resorts International statement.
Sunday was supposed to be what college basketball and big sports media call “Selection Sunday” to determine the national college hoops tournament’s brackets and match-ups. Instead, Las Vegas and the rest of the country were left with another form of March Madness as the federal CDC recommended groups of no bigger than 50 people and Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak said all schools in the state will be closed effective Monday until April 6.
The other major Strip player that is shutting down operations is Wynn Resorts, which runs Wynn and Encore and issued this statement: “Wynn Resorts has decided to temporarily close Wynn Las Vegas and Encore as part of its continuing effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). The Company has committed to pay all full-time Wynn and Encore employees during the closure.
“The closure will be effective Tuesday, March 17 at 6 pm and is expected to be in effect for two weeks, after which time the Company will evaluate the situation. A limited number of employees and management will remain at the resort to secure and maintain the facility.”
Wynn is a big player on the sports-business scene in Las Vegas, having hosted NHL and NASCAR events and team events like the Vegas Golden Knights’ recent “Knight to Remember” fund-raiser a mere month ago.
MGM Resorts also owns the WNBA Las Vegas Lights after MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren played a central role in acquiring the WNBA franchise from San Antonio. They also have a close business relationship with the Vegas Golden Knights and the esports world through a big esports arena in the Luxor hotel-casino.
It was only Wednesday — four days ago — when MGM Resorts property T-Mobile Arena was hosting the Pac-12 men’s basketball tournament. Then the NCAA eventually scrubbed the national tournament.
Normally, MGM Resorts’ hotel casinos this week would be packed with thousands college basketball fans from around the country betting on the national hoops tourney. It’s especially festive during the first two days of the NCAA tournament when the games start around 9 a.m. and bettors swarm the sportsbooks.
Now, March Madness and MGM Resorts and Wynn property sportsbooks on the Strip will be dark as America copes with the coronavirus crisis.
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