SportsBiz Update: Raiders Brand Outweighs Losses Since Expansion; Aces and WNBA Start in Florida in July; NHL Playoffs at the Big Ice House by the Strip
By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
The Las Vegas Raiders’ latest media buy has a new digital billboard message along valley highways: “Two legacies One future.”
Well, the most recent legacy has not been too good in the win-loss record.
Since 2002 when the NFL expanded with the Houston Texans and created the eight divisions of four teams each, the Raiders have the second worse won-loss record in the 32-team league. That’s right — 31st out of 32 NFL teams since 2002.
Yet, with so many losses, the Raiders were able to massage $750 million in Southern Nevada’s public money toward building a 65,000-seat domed stadium.
What the Raiders lacked in wins they enjoyed in brand power. Three NFL glorious Super Bowl wins in the 1970s and 1980s, plus a signature reputation of enlisting rebels and characters en route to winning a trio of world championships, have captured the hearts and wallets and past generations.
Raiders fans are in both Southern and Northern California, Arizona and across the country. And they will come to the Raiders’ new stadium in Las Vegas — when health and state officials deem it OK for fans to gather for pro sports.
Meanwhile, the construction continued Monday. Take a look.
Well, it looks like the Las Vegas Aces and the WNBA’s 11 other teams are heading to Brademton, Florida for a 22-game regular season starting in July.
The IMG Academy will be the home for each of the league’s 12 teams and serve as a single site for training camp, games and housing.
“The top priority continues to be the health and safety of players and staff, and the league is working with medical specialists, public health experts, and government officials on a comprehensive set of guidelines to ensure that appropriate medical protocols and protections are in place,” the WNBA said. “Due to the fluid situation resulting from the pandemic, the league and players will continue to review the appropriate health and safety protocols and make necessary changes to the plan prior to arriving on site for the start of training camp and throughout the season.”
While the NBA, WNBA and NHL play in Florida later this summer, it looks like Las Vegas market will be a host city for the NHL’s Eastern Conference teams.
T-Mobile Arena will be the centerpiece arena, with thousands of hotel rooms bordering the arena site.
Here’s the arena from today’s bicycle ride.
As for baseball, I say it’s time to cut bait and see you MLB in 2021.
And speaking of bicycling, order my new book, Bicycle Man: Life of Journeys. On Sunday, I spoke with Channel 8 Sports Director Chris Maathuis about the book.
Buy a book by contacting me at asnel@LVSportsBiz.com.
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