More managers at MGM Resorts let go
WIDESPREAD layoffs continued this week at MGM Resorts International, with several mid-level management positions eliminated in a COVID-19 cost-cutting strategy.
According to sources familiar with MGM Resorts’ operations, among those terminated was Lovell Walker, the official who led the company’s Esports and Interactive Gaming department. The cornerstone of that division has been the Hyperx Esports Arena Las Vegas at Luxor.
Executive Director of Responsible Gaming and Military Affairs Richard Taylor is also out. Taylor helped advance the company’s Military and Veterans Program (MVP) rewards program in 2017.
MGM Resorts spokesman Brian Ahern said Tuesday he had no comment about the reports. Also Tuesday, the company issued a legal document saying its 63,000 furloughed employees could be out of work for six months, or permanently.
The company has downsized and narrowed its management team since Friday, when it shuffled its lineup of Strip resort presidents.
In that restructuring, Ann Hoff has been reassigned as the company’s chief marketing officer. The 30-year company veteran and UNLV graduate had previously served as president and COO of Portfolio Properties. In that role, Hoff was operations manager of The Mirage, New York-new York, Luxor, Excalibur and (before the hotel was sold to Phil Ruffin) Circus Circus. That position has been cut.
Ari Kastrati moves into an overarching position as chief hospitality officer, heading up the company’s hotel operations, nightlife, retail and food and beverage divisions.
Jorge Perez, who had been a regional portfolio president, has been named president of MGM National Harbor in Maryland.
Among those released have been such key executives as Chief Strategy Officer Aaron Fischer and Senior Vice President of Advertising and Content Jessica Cipolla-tario.
Several other upper- and middle-level MGM Resorts executives have also been laid off since Friday, including those in the marketing, advertising and food and beverage divisions. Sources indicate several more moves are expected this week.
That guy’s a tiger
Tiger Cage is headed to the tiger cage.
Oscar-winning actor Nicolas Cage reportedly is being cast to portray Joe Exotic of
“Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness” in a scripted, eight-episode series being produced by CBS. The project has not yet found a network home.
The 56-year-old Cage, who has a residence in Las Vegas, is also executive producer for the project. He has been enlisted to portray Exotic (whose legal name is Joseph Maldonado-passage), who currently is serving 22 years in prison for attempted murder for hire against rival zoo operator Carole Baskin and killing five of his tigers, among other charges.
The limited series starring Cage is based on a June 2019 Texas Monthly article by Leif Reigstad titled “Joe Exotic: A Dark Journey Into the World of a Man Gone Wild.” Cage has been in talks since April to play the lead role.
In November, The Hollywood Reporter broke a story that Cage was to play a Cagelike character in Quentin Tarantino’s “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.”
Cage also made news in March 2019 when he and then-girlfriend Erika Koike were married and then filed for an annulment within five days. The short-lived nuptials were held at Bellagio.
Something for Joey
Former “Splash” and “V — The Ultimate Variety Show” comic stalwart Joe Trammel has opened his garage for an ongoing Youtube comedy series, under his virtual Joey Vegas stage moniker. “The Comedy Garage” welcomes entertainers to perform socially distanced at the Trammel homestead.
Email him at imjoeyvegas@ gmail.com. Those who can’t make it to the “live” show can submit videos to the series.
Trammel has also posted 50 “Pandemic Series” quick clips on his Joey Vegas Youtube page. The production isn’t as advanced as “Splash” at the Riv, but unlike the old hotel, Trammel’s new venue has the advantage of still standing.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section.
His Podkats! podcast can be found at reviewjournal.com/ podcasts. Contact him at jkatsilometes@reviewjournal. com. Follow @johnnykats on Twitter, @Johnnykats1 on Instagram.
As of 9 p.m. Tuesday:
1. Document: MGM Resorts furloughs could turn into layoffs Aug. 31
The furloughs of almost 63,000 MGM Resorts International employees soon could turn into layoffs.
2. With fewer offerings for fun, how will Las Vegas lure visitors amid pandemic?
The state is moving closer to reopening businesses, but tourism experts say things won’t be the same for quite some time.
3. She had odd COVID-19 symptoms. 8 days later she was gone.
Michele Franzese Rustigan told her big sister goodbye over the phone.
4. City of Las Vegas considers last resort: Laying off about 200 workers
City officials notified its collective bargaining units Thursday, city spokesman David Riggleman said.
5. At least two grocery chains requiring face masks at Las Vegas
Valley stores
As the supermarket industry doubles down on sanitary and related requirements for fighting the spread of COVID-19, many are announcing stricter measures.