Bye Bye Gladiators......

[jfkIII]

Las Vegas will never be a good sports town...for two distinct reasons...

1) A large percentage of residents have come from other parts of the country. They are kids and adults that have rooted for the pro teams that existed in the areas where they grew up. For some families, this loyalty has been passed down from generations where, say, a grandfather/father/son heritage has rooted for certain teams. While LV is their 'new' home...they still root for their 'home team'.

2) No commissioner of any pro sport would allow a team of that sport to be located in an area where gambling on that sport is allowed, encouraged, and so easily done. It would open a slew of possible problems. Even just the suspicion of such is not taken lightly in pro sports.

Sports and LV will never mix...except in the casinos sports books!

[Chest Rockwell]

2) No commissioner of any pro sport would allow a team of that sport to be located in an area where gambling on that sport is allowed, encouraged, and so easily done. It would open a slew of possible problems. Even just the suspicion of such is not taken lightly in pro sports.

Nevermind that regulated gambling eliminate the possibility of fixed games since the wagers are being monitored, unlike every other city where Cousin Sal will take your bets and break your legs if you don't pay. I agree with your point, but it still doesn't make any sense.

[Matt Angry]

Its been proven over and over again, Vegas finds more problems with bets being placed on games than it causes. The last big betting issue with the NBA ref, would have been discovered long before the NBA found out about it if the money would have been bet in Vegas casinos, but because it was all off shore wagers and "local" bookies it became a scandle.

[jfkIII]

Originally Posted by Matt Angry

Its been proven over and over again, Vegas finds more problems with bets being placed on games than it causes. The last big betting issue with the NBA ref, would have been discovered long before the NBA found out about it if the money would have been bet in Vegas casinos, but because it was all off shore wagers and "local" bookies it became a scandle.

Yep...try convincing the commissioner of that fact and turning the public perception.

[Chest Rockwell]

Here's a new twist. Las Vegas can't trust the NBA, so they should take their crooked game off the board!

[jfkIII]

Sort of like the pot calling the kettle, no?

[ackackack]

Was anyone here when the Oakland A's started their season at Cashman Field? I can't remember the year, but I do remember the A's playing around 10 games (I think) at Cashman Field. I also remember the stands being only about half full. The A's were not a good team during that time (it was after their World Series run, but they still had Mark McGuire). What an embarrassment for this town.

Any sports franchise would be crazy to move to a town that wouldn't support it. I would expect the team to become a team with a losing record, playing in a small market with little fan support. Too many people living here would come to the games and cheer for the Las Vegas opponent because they were from there, had no vested interest in Las Vegas as a home, and/or didn't want to support a loser. As much as I want a sports team, I don't want it yet. We screw it up, and it's over for a long time. We dan't depend on casinos and tourists to help the team survive either. A home team that depends on visitors, cheering for the visiting team is a bad idea.

What sports franchise would be represented in Las Vegas and allow Las Vegas to bet on them? (UNLV is not a franchise) We know that this helps police the game, but the leagues don't make any money from you or me winning or losing from bets placed on their teams. That bothers them, just look at the NFL and all the restrictions they have placed on Las Vegas. The casinos aren't willing to give up anything that makes them money in favor of something that the community wants either. They are in the tourism industry, not the local Las Vegas community industry.