ACES, LIGHTS FOLLOW KNIGHTS’ LEAD IN ENGAGING COMMUNITY
reason why they didn’t play well, that’s OK with us. We liked it, because it meant that they weren’t necessarily staying as focused on what they should have been focused on when they were getting ready to play us.”
One of the reasons for the Knights’ success is the massive home-ice advantage, which many believe is the best in the NHL.
Knights officials were determined when the franchise launched two years ago to be visible in the community because they realized that was crucial in growing a fan base. The valley’s other teams have a similar strategy.
When the WNBA’S Aces announced its relocation plans in November, the team wasted no time in trying to connect with its potential fan base. It hosted fan events at Mandalay Bay Events Center — its home arena — and has made numerous appearances around town. It’s also aggressive in working with the youth girls’ basketball community.
“It’s been really important for us to get into the community to let them know that we’re here and let them know what we represent,” Brown said. “It’s not just about putting a great product on the court, it’s about making a difference in the community. Giving these young girls and student-athletes role models and giving them a perspective of what it could potentially be for them.”
Part of the marketing includes the local teams working together. For instance, the Lights’ Joel Huiqui wore a Vegas Golden Knights jersey when he was introduced in a game last month, and Aces players attended a Golden Knights playoff game last week.
More important, fans at one game often have on gear from another of the city’s teams. It’s helped grow a passion for the city with residents.
“What’s happened on the ice has been special, and it has allowed us to really understand what a major pro sports team brings to a market and how it’s a common thread to rally a marketplace,” Bubolz said. “The wins and losses are a lot of fun and I enjoy that part, but I love how it’s bringing this community together in a different way. That, to me, is the real power of pro sports.”
When the NFL arrives in town in 2020 with the Raiders, it will fit in with the city’s growing sports landscape, the group said. With the area continuing to expand with residents, sports executives aren’t worried about the valley being able to support each team.
“You have 2.3 million people and 43 million visitors — that’s enough to support plenty of teams,” Badain said. “We’ve seen the way the Knights have galvanized the community and we’ve always had a strong fan base here, and when you look at the statistics, you see fans of pretty much every team in this market — and we were always in the top few.”
When you consider the area will soon have two new venues — the $1.8 billion stadium for the Raiders and UNLV football, and the 51s’ new stadium in Summerlin — the general consensus with the group is that the memorable nights in Las Vegas sports are just beginning.
“It’s been awesome welcoming everybody. To have major league sports here is long overdue for Las Vegas, and we don’t look at it as competition in the slightest,” said Johnson of the 51s, who began playing here in the early 1980s. “We play in the part of the season that now will have some soccer games around us, we’ll have the Aces play around us, but the NHL and NFL have a season that’s away from us.”