Nationwide Superbook extension part of Westgate shuffle
AS a bell clerk at the Westgate might say, there is a lot to unpack here. On the luggage cart: the Westgate’s plans to open a new company from its famous sports book, reshape its management team and shuffle its entertainment lineup.
As a kickoff, the resort’s Superbook brand is going nationwide, under the leadership of longtime Westgate Vice President of Race and Sports Operations Jay Kornegay.
Officials fast-tracked their strategy to branch out with the Superbook in May, after the Supreme Court cleared the way for states to legalize sports betting. The resort chain has reportedly discussed such an expansion for about a year.
Kornegay will work with Geno Iafrate, who left his post as the Westgate’s general manager for an executive role in what will be a separate company under the Westgate umbrella. Details and a formal announcement are in the offing, but the Superbook will operate similarly to William Hill, which is contracted by casinos seeking an experienced sports book operator, and compete nationwide.
“There will be a huge market swarming to these new legal sports books spreading across the country,” Kornegay said Monday. “I feel the expansion of sports gaming will follow the same path as the cellphone business. It’s infant stages in this country now, but we’ll see sports gaming options almost on every corner someday. It’ll be like the U.K., where they’re as common as barbershops.”
To fill Iafrate’s vacancy, Cami Christensen will serve as interim general manager. Christensen is a 17-year hotel exec whose tenure dates back to the resort’s days as the Las Vegas Hilton.
As further details for the Superbook launch are being finalized, the stage show “Soundtrack” is not being extended past its Sept. 22 performance. Clint Holmes and Earl Turner have co-starred in the show, which opened Feb. 14 and has most recently alternated weekend dates with Barry Manilow. Holmes and Turner were informed Monday afternoon that the show would not return.
“We believe in the show. We think it is something really special, and we’re going to search for the right situation,” Turner said. “We are looking at the Strip, Atlantic City, performing arts centers. I am one who knows that when a door closes, another opens, and we’re looking for the next door.”
Westgate Vice President of Marketing Dawn Rawle is now heading up the hotel’s entertainment division. Rawles is a former marketing exec with Station Casinos and Caesars Entertainment. Laura Ishum, who brought “Soundtrack,” Manilow, headlining comic George Wallace and magician Jen Kramer to the Westgate, left the hotel-casino last week.
Ishum, who started at the Westgate in December 2016, said in a text Sunday night, “I’m on to the next chapter.” And she is not alone.
Atrueace
It would be easier to list the MGM Resorts International hotels that Stephanie Sanchez hasn’t performed in than the ones that she has.
Sanchez has never sung at the MGM Macau or the new MGM Springfield, which formally opens at the end of the month. Not yet, anyway.
But she’s sung at every other MGM Resorts property in her 30-plus years as a Vegas entertainer — including the Monte Carlo, before it was rebranded as Park MGM. She spent nine years at Luxor as the singer in “Fantasy,” ending in 2009. (In a first for that show, a daughter of an ex-cast member is in the show. Shelby Jordan, Sanchez’s 23-yearold daughter, is now in the production.)
These days, Sanchez is one of the “suits” at MGM Resorts: entertainment manager at the New York-new York, booking acts at the Bar at Times Square, Nine Fine Irishmen and the Brooklyn Bridge promenade.
But Sanchez can’t seem to shake the singing.
On Wednesday, Sanchez will be behind the mic again to sing the national anthem at the Mandalay Bay Events Center for the Las Vegas Aces-new York Liberty WNBA game. She was enlisted in part because the night is honoring New York-new York employees.
“I’ve sung the anthem many, many times, but this will be special,” Sanchez says. “The Aces are a great pro team in the best women’s pro league in the world. The city is excited about them. It’s a memorable gig and a real honor to do it.”
Sanchez has sung the anthem twice at Staples Center prior to L.A. Kings games, which is why she was a Kings fan until the Golden Knights debuted in October. She’s also answered the call for the Las Vegas 51s, and, oddly enough, for the past four Nathan’s
Hot Dog Eating Contests at Brooklyn Bridge.
Sanchez has yet to sing for the Golden Knights, but she’s ready for that or any other anthem gig.
“Whenever someone asks, ‘Can you sing the anthem?’ I’m ready,” Sanchez says. “I’m beyond excited.”
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at jkatsilometes@ reviewjournal.com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @ Johnnykats1 on Instagram. As of 9 p.m. Monday:
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