Quote:
Originally Posted by New Era
^^^. Which makes your league look weak and second rate. There are reasons no other league has gone into Vegas. The NHL should consider those same issues before going down this road.
I also don't hate non-traditional markets, seeing as I live in one, but I am very aware of the challenges these teams face in staying relevant in a city where the game is a mostly unknown. I am also very aware of the challenges these locations present to players, which Vegas would just intensify. It would be much more beneficial to the league to fortify the west coast, creating a very natural geographic zone for rivalries and travel, than to expand into the desert and an economically challenged city.
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Yes....and they have nothing to do with anything related to being a traditional market for that particular sport. It has always been about the gambling aspect of things but with the advent of internet sports books, it really doesn't matter that the bookies are available legally or not in any particular city. If a guy is gonna gamble...he is gonna gamble. Climate has also been a small factor as well for the summer sports.
As for the "natural geographic zone" thing, where do you think Vegas is exactly? Its less than 250 miles from Los Angeles/Anaheim. Much closer than say Calgary/Vancouver.
Also, what is it exactly that makes Vegas an "economically challenged city"? It has been the fastest growing city in the entire USA for many years. There is money rolling all over the place. Granted much of it is in the hands of few, but that is no different than any other place.
Vegas may or may not work, but it will have zero to do with geography or climate. Like most expansion teams in all sports, it will come down to the product on the ice as far as season tickets etc, but they have a bit of an advantage in this case in regards to that as well as so many of those paid for tickets will be used by casinos as perks for guests.
This situation is well worth a shot for the league and its owners.