In this week’s latest hot topic, it’s being rumoured that Las Vegas NBA basketball might be coming to the Strip. Jim Murren, CEO of MGM Resorts International, claimed he’s enthusiastically chasing an NBA franchise team to Southern Nevada via relocation to play at T-Mobile Arena. As always, 702ENT wanted to find out more about this interesting titbit of information.
After communicating with the Review-Journal last week, Murren supposed Las Vegas could be household to an NBA franchise within five years, discussing the issue with KNPR-FM, which reported his quotes on Wednesday: “It wouldn’t be an expansion team. It would most likely be relocation of a team”, according to Murren. Nevertheless, he didn’t say which team or teams he was tracking. Murren has previously expressed support for the proposed $1.9 billion NFL football stadium being pushed by Adelson and Davis, and using $750 million in public tax revenue to help build the venue.
A few years back, the Sacramento Kings and the Milwaukee Bucks looked to be in danger of leaving their markets, but both franchises have new arenas, with the Kings’ facility opening this month. An MGM spokesman said Murren would not be making any additional comment.
A spokesman on their behalf said: “We can confirm the earlier quotes, but we will have no further comment on the subject.” As the first major professional sports league, the NHL will put a team in Las Vegas when the franchise begins play in October after owner Bill Foley paid a record $500 million extension payment to join the league as its 31st team. The Oakland Raiders are planning to submit a request to the NFL at the league’s owners meeting in January, to move to Las Vegas after public funding for a 65,000-seat domed stadium was accepted by the Nevada Senate and signed by Gov. Brian Sandoval.
Murren’s MGM Resorts is a partner in T-Mobile Arena, which opened this past April. The arena will also house a new NHL franchise that is set to begin play in fall 2017. In the midst of Murren’s hoop dreams, the NFL’s Raiders are actively trying to sell the league’s team owners to approve relocation. Nevada legislators approved public funding for the state’s share in a $1.9 billion stadium to be built somewhere in Clark County, Earlier this month.
This NBA team would assist in filling vacant dates at T-Mobile Arena, which is owned by the MGM and was built privately at a cost of $375 million. It also would upsurge the worth of the arena’s luxury suites and club seats. The NBA, which had its All-Star weekend in Las Vegas in 2007, has a presence in the city with the Thomas & Mack Center and Cox Pavilion hosting the NBA Summer League each year. Also, the Los Angeles Lakers played two preseason games at T-Mobile Arena this month.
“Imagine the thought of having a professional hockey team, a professional football team, a professional soccer team, probably a professional basketball team, I’m working on that. That was an impossible dream 18 years ago,” Murren explained.
“I do believe over time that we will be able to convince ownership in the NBA to relocate a team here,” Murren concluded, confidently.
For more of the hottest news about all the fun activities and exciting events happening in Vegas, be sure to check out 702 ENT, we can help you design an entertaining and jam-packed holiday. Put your mind at rest and rely on our dependable Las Vegas Concierge Services, who will show you the best places in town, with recommendations for activities to suit your preferences.
