By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
Bill Hornbuckle, a familiar MGM Resorts International name in the Las Vegas hotel-casino industry who also is a member of the Las Vegas Stadium Authority, is MGM Resorts’ acting chief executive officer and president, replacing outgoing chairman and CEO Jim Murren.
Hornbuckle, who was serving as MGM Resorts’ chief operating officer/president, is also a big supporter of the Las Vegas sports industry, just like Murren.
On Feb. 12, Murren had informed the MGM Resorts board of directors of his plans to step down prior to the expiration of his contract.
And in light of the coronavirus pandemic crisis gripping the nation, Nevada and the travel industry, Murren vacated the CEO position as of Sunday.
Murren moves into a new role given to him by Gov. Steve Sisolak as the state’s COVID-19 response and recovery task force chief.
Replacing Murren as the MGM Resorts board chairman will be Paul Salem, who is currently a member of the MGM Resorts board and chairman of the MGM real estate committee.
“We have an incredible challenge ahead. We have a talented leadership team, the best employees in the world, and a loyal customer base. I have every confidence that MGM Resorts will remain the global entertainment leader once this crisis is contained and it is safe to operate,” Hornbuckle said in an MGM media statement. “I look forward to working with Paul and the entire Board of Directors as we plan for the future.”
Hornbuckle is into sports much like Murren. Hornbuckle attended Las Vegas Aces games. MGM Resorts owns the WNBA Aces after Murren played a big role in MGM acquiring the former San Antonio Stars franchise.
As a member of the public stadium authority, Hornbuckle also asked questions about the stadium site’s limited parking, which would have a big effect on parking spaces at MGM Resorts’ hotel-casino properties on the east side of Interstate 15 only a 15-minute walk to the Raiders’ 65,000-seat domed stadium.
More than a year ago after Sisolak was sworn in as the state’s chief executive, MGM Resorts hired Sisolak’s predecessor — Brian Sandoval — for the job as president of global gaming development.
MGM Resorts is the official gaming partner of the Raiders, which say the new stadium will be ready July 31. But there’s an unsettled future in the sports industry in the United States, with current NHL, NBA and MLS seasons paused and there’s no end in sight for the COVID-19 virus spread in this country as the number of confirmed COVID cases increases daily.
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