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NBA: Vegas still part of restart plan NHL: Players OK 24-team playoff format
Mayor Carolyn Goodman’s comments to CNN’S Anderson Cooper last month reportedly damaged Las Vegas’ chances of hosting the NBA upon the resumption of its season. But they apparently did not extinguish the possibility entirely.
Milwaukee Bucks owner Marc Lasry told CNBC on Thursday that the league will “probably” use two sites — Orlando on the
East Coast and Las Vegas on the West Coast. Lasry’s comment came after the mayor strongly advocated for the city to reopen during a 25-minute interview with Cooper, prompting a report from The Athletic that the league was concerned about her comments.
Goodman did not return a call seeking comment, and her public information officer, Jace Radke, said she was not available.
Orlando’s Walt Disney World Resort has emerged as a front-runner to host the league upon its return, per The Athletic, but ESPN reported that Las Vegas is still being considered as a regional site.
“Obviously in our minds (the NBA) would be something that would be great for the destination, because you’ve got the Las Vegas brand being involved with bringing these events, and then having live sports,” said Fletch Brunelle, vice president of marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
“To that end, even if it’s a fanless event, being part of that conversation, being part of that dialogue, having live sports back — people are so hungry for sports that having them here in Las Vegas would be a win for the destination,” he added.
The league declined comment, and Commissioner Adam Silver told players on a conference call earlier this month that the best solution for a possible resumption involves one or two sites.
MGM Resorts International has offered to host the resumption of the NBA season in Las Vegas and has
How are the NHL and NBA returning from the pandemic-induced hiatus? First, there would be lots of coronavirus testing. Then, let the games begin.
NHL: Likely the top 12 teams in each conference as of the stoppage, for a 24-team playoff. NBA: Still unknown, but many teams want to finish the regular season.
NHL: Las Vegas, Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Columbus (Ohio), St. Paul (Minnesota) and Nashville (Tennessee) are reportedly under consideration.
NBA: It’s down to Orlando (Walt Disney World) and Las Vegas (Mandalay Bay Convention Center).
NHL: Would likely start mid- or late July. NBA: Aiming for early July.
NHL: Pods by conference are being considered; conference finals and Stanley Cup Final in one site also are being discussed.
NBA: Either all 16 playoffs teams (or all 30 teams) would start in one venue, or the East would be assigned to Orlando and West to Las Vegas.
Bill Bradley
The NHL took its first step toward returning.
A 24-team return-to-play format was approved Friday following a vote by the NHL Players’ Association executive committee.
“The Executive Board of the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) has authorized further negotiations with the NHL on a 24-team return to play format to determine the winner of the 2020 Stanley Cup,” the NHLPA said in a statement. “Several details remain to be negotiated and an agreement on the format would still be subject to the parties reaching agreement on all issues relevant to resuming play.”
Settling on a format was an important first step for the NHL’S return, but the league still must decide when and where play will resume and also what testing procedures and health protocols will be in place. An announcement from the league is expected next week.
The NHL season was paused March 12 because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Commissioner Gary Bettman said Monday the league was looking at eight or nine locations to serve as hub cities for “a dozen or so teams” if the season resumes. The games are expected to take place without fans in attendance.
Las Vegas remains one of the front-runners or potentially could host the conference finals and Stanley Cup Final, according to a report by Le Journal de Montreal.
Fletch Brunelle, the vice president of marketing for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, said proximity to ice is one of the factors being considered by the NHL for Las Vegas’ bid.
The Las Vegas Valley has ice sheets at City National Arena (two), Las Vegas Ice Center (two) and Pepsi Ice Arena at Fiesta Rancho, which remains closed. Orleans Arena also has ice-making capabilities.
In addition to T-mobile Arena, made-for-tv rinks can potentially be installed
the requisite arena and hotel space. The company is an NBA partner, and its proposal centered around Mandalay Bay, which has 4,700 rooms and is connected to Mandalay Bay Convention Center — home the last two years to the league’s annual G League Winter Showcase.
Properties on the Strip are in an unincorporated part of Clark County and are not in Goodman’s jurisdiction. County Commissioner Michael Naft acknowledged that Goodman’s remarks may have damaged the city’s economic recovery and is understanding of the league’s trepidation.
“Event planners and CEOS are deciding now where to bring their meetings and shows in 2021 and beyond,” he said. “They’re all looking for a destination that takes public health and safety seriously. That’s why we’re so focused on the health response of Clark County as a means to economic recovery.”
The league is still establishing
the conditions for a return and has not yet finalized a format. Multiple scenarios have been discussed, including the continuation of the regular season and a return only for the playoff teams.
Former Thomas & Mack Center director Daren Libonati said he believes Las Vegas would be an ideal location for the resumption of the NBA season but noted that it has its challenges.
“Your biggest challenge, the biggest spoke in the wheel, would be transportation, getting your people from venue to venue and creating a schedule that is organized,” said Libonati, who has 33 years of experience working in local sports an entertainment.
“But … that’s what makes us probably the sexiest city in the world,” he added. “We have the ability to flip a switch and change our venues.”
Sports columnist Ron Kantowski and staff reporter Mick Akers contributed to this report.
Contact reporter Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Bysamgordon on Twitter.