ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher/Writer
UNLV’s top sports facilities man says Sam Boyd Stadium has been closed since 2020 and will not be used by the new XFL team in Las Vegas called the Vegas Vipers.
“Sam Boyd is closed for good since 2020,” said Mike Newcomb, UNLV senior associate athletic director for facilities & events. “No one from the league has even inquired. They know it’s not an option.”
The Vipers, one of eight new XFL teams that start play after the Super Bowl in February, are still looking for a football field to play their games in Las Vegas.
The XFL is in town this week because the 2.0 reboot of a football league is using UFC’s Apex building as the hub for a player draft.
Sam Boyd Stadium is UNLV football’s former home. It also hosted the Las Vegas Bowl. New Mexico even used the stadium for its football games in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. UNLV football and the Las Vegas Bowl have moved to the Raiders-managed Allegiant Stadium.
The XFL, which is being brought back by league Chairwoman and owner Dany Garcia and league owner Dwayne Johnson, approached Las Vegas Ballpark about using the home of the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators for its Vipers games.
But Aviators President Don “Donnie Baseball” Logan told LVSportsBiz.com that the Vipers would not fit in the 10,000-seat ballpark owned privately by Howard Hughes Corporation.
Logan suggested to the XFL that the league check out Cashman Field in downtown Las Vegas. The city of Las Vegas controls Cashman Field, which currently hosts Las Vegas Lights soccer games.
The Raiders’ 62,500-seat Allegiant Stadium is too big for an XFL team and would cost a lot to rent. If we hear back from the XFL, the Vegas Vipers or the city of Las Vegas, we will pass it on.
XFL broadcast partner ESPN is playing a strong role in trying to promote the XFL reboot. From a press release:
● SportsCenterwill have updates and interviews from Las Vegas throughout Tuesday and Wednesday with reports from Stormy Buonantony – who will also host the League’s live streamed Quarterback Selection Show.
● @ESPN social will be sharing all the breaking news live across its platforms throughout the entire week of the XFL Draft, including the first 16 picks announced by Garcia and Johnson. @ESPN will also bring fans inside the event with insider, behind-the-scenes content from onsite.
● ESPN.comwill have a full lineup of stories from its roster of football experts providing in-depth insight on the 2023 class. Topics include: Everything to know about the XFL and its draft, a breakdown of the League’s quarterbacks, stories with prospective players and League executives and much more.