Quote:
Originally Posted by trew
I don't think you have to look much further than the owners of the new 20,000 seat LV arena: MGM and AEG Live (owners of the LA Kings).
MGM and AEG have been holding Kings Pre-season games in Vegas for several years at MGM's Garden arena, and they always sell out. MGM is probably the top (or at least top 3) in Casino and resort room holdings, and also have broadcast holdings as well.
AEG makes sense because of the Southern California factor. 26% of visitors to Vegas come from Southern California, and over 50% come from the Pacific division hockey markets. With 3 million visitors per month, and a show attendance rate of 70% for visitors, that puts a huge amount of NHL watchers in the casinos looking for something to do at night. Sounds like they have a pretty good bet on a unique but lucrative hockey market.
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Highly doubtful that the NHL allows a company that makes money off sports gambling own/have direct control of a franchise. Clear conflict of interest and the appearance of impropriety will always be there whenever the team loses or makes unpopular moves. e.g. "Oh Vegas lost? Guess MGM threw the game to make some money"
Also doubtful the NHL will allow the same owner for two teams especially if they are going to be in the same division.