Where to Play NBA Basketball in Las Vegas?

Mark Anthony on April 30, 2021

All Net Arena

I’m sure you heard the “news” – Another professional sports team wants to come to Las Vegas.  Yes, again!  This time are hearing this kind of rumor is regarding the NBA (National Basketball Association). We all are hearing news about NBA coming to Las Vegas and want to confirm its credibility. Media keep prompting at an announcement next week because Las Vegas is considered a frontrunner for NBA expansion, and we can expect to have great news from NBA (?).

 


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For now, I can tell you about the nba.nbcsports.com news with title Jay Bloom reportedly lined up an ownership group to bring NBA expansion to Las Vegas.

What Does Will NBA Team Do?

Some questions always raised when talking about “IF” the NBA gave us a team, where would they play? Where would their area be located?

Would they do what the NHL (National Hockey League) did with the Vegas Golden Knights hockey team and use a facility already opened? T-Mobile Arena.  Or would they be like the NFL Raiders and demand an arena of their own?

First, we have to contend that the NBA is losing fans in a quick and uncontrolled manner. They have openly joined forces with the left-wing militant group, BLM (Black Lives Matter), and that has caused monied fans and some critical corporate supporters to exit fast. They need them to come back in order to be profitable long term.

If the NBA authorities act wisely and do not involve in politics, they surely will have a considerable fan base in few years. Again, the word “IF” comes into play

The NBA’s Place to Play

Not really surprising to those of us who live and work in Las Vegas to know of a place just ripe for a new arena.  In fact, it has been sitting vacant for the last ten years waiting for this moment.  At the north end of the las vegas Strip, next to ‘Sahara Resort’ where the ‘Old Wet-n-Wild Waterpark’ was. That park was closed over 16 years ago in 2004. It is the place where the ‘All Net Resort and Arena’ project broke down.

All Net Sports Arena?

‘All Net Sports Arena’ has been the dream and the brainchild of ex NBA player Jackie Robinson. Do not hesitate if you do not know him. I have also never heard about Jackie Robinson until the project was dreamed up.

In 2013, next to Sahara Resort, his partners purchased a location on the north end of the strip at ‘old Wet-n-Wild Waterpark.’ The site had been planned for an earlier stadium project called Silver State Arena. Later, developers left that place when they learned they would need to pay for the arena by themselves. They were not going to get taxpayer bailouts or any room tax subsidy for this project.

Presently, the ‘old Wet-n-Wild Waterpark’ land is worth 3 billion dollars. This 22-acre site on the north end of Las Vegas Boulevard will be supposed to be a multi-purpose arena with 22,000 seats, a hotel, and a shopping spot. We can’t say much about parking space yet.

Now the speculation is centering that long-mothballed Fontainebleau Las Vegas resort (aka The Drew / The Big Blue Silo) may take responsibility for the hotel and shopping part of this project, and space for the ‘arena’ will remain intact.

The news flash is the Drew project has failed, and another group of investors, including the original developer of the Fontainebleau Las Vegas, now own the resort project. The resort’s main entrance lies almost in front of the property line of the ‘All Net Arena’ site. How convenient!

It Is Las Vegas!

Remember, this is Las Vegas, and we hear rumors like this every week.  Nobody is getting their panties wet yet over this supposed announcement.  When we see the construction boots on the ground and a foundation being poured, then we start putting bets on when it will actually be completed.

Stay tuned to see if this truly happens!

Final Thoughts

Now, if you are smiling with a clenched jaw because you know more news about the NBA and its plans for Las Vegas, Please share here to spread smiles on other faces, too; we will try to stay unusually quiet.

Otherwise, Stay Tuned to see if this really happens!

UNLV at Allegiant Stadium

Mark Anthony on November 30, 2020

UNLV Stadium

On October 31, when most of us were obediently following the commands of our wonderful governor to stay in your homes and fear for the worst, while he went out and partied like it wasn’t a covid lockdown; The University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) football team, the Rebels, were in their new home at the Allegiant Stadium. They were playing host to our arch-rivals, the University of Nevada Reno Wolf Pack (UNR).

UNLV Rebels Football

Empty or not, that is one beautiful stadium!

Following all the safety protocols and social distancing requirements, our good friend and photographer Tom Donoghue (@photomanlv) was there to capture the action and maybe catch a few of the limited fan and permitted support people cheering on the home team to an unfortunate 37-19 loss.

Ironically, while Tom was suffering some sweats and dizziness and such while trying to capture all that action.  Maybe it was just too much excitement of being in the new digs!  He was later admitted to St Rose hospital where he spent some time in the care of some of their excellent medical staff.  After all the tests and treatments, just for the fun of it, they threw in a bonus COVID preventative treatment before sending him home to recuperate. As always, they were excellent to him and he’s doing fine now! ( I love St Rose Hospital!)

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UNLV Rebels Football

Meanwhile, our team, they played, they tried.  But it was just not enough.  It’s also a shame that the fans were not allowed in to see the home team in their fancy new settings.  It may have helped cheer them to a victory.  Maybe. Ok, at that large of a spread, maybe not really.  But they played like they had the intention of being a winning team!

UNLV Rebels football

Sending the team good vibes??

The win for UNR snapped a two-game losing streak in the series for Nevada, which had lost in heartbreaking fashion in each of the last two years. It also brings the Fremont Cannon back to Reno, where it will be getting a coat of blue paint. The Fremont Cannon is considered “the” trophy between the teams. It’s an actual canon and is painted the color of the winning team!
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photo by tom donoghue

It Looks So Nice in Red…. Maybe Next Year.

Losing is never easy. What made it a little more painful was that this was THE game. This was the very first game at the college level to be played at the $2 billion Allegiant Stadium. As we all know, this is also the home to the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders. Not only this being the first year for the team in their new home stadium, but this was also the debut season for the team under new head coach Marcus Arroyo.  So It was supposed to be a big banner year for all.

photo by Tom Donoghue

Can we get back to reality? More people, More Cheer

Being the inaugural year, it was sad to see the stadium so empty.  They tried to fill it with cheer but this place is a little larger than the old Sam Boyd Stadium! Thanks for the effort!

photo by tom donoghue

They actually did try to score a few points!

Thank you, Tom Donoghue

I do want to thank Tom Donoghue (@photomanlv) for getting the photos like he always does. I can say that I have seen him work in some of the most unusual circumstances and at times where other “professional” photographers would run the other way, literally.  He is the pro that we all have come to love and care about.  Talking with him last night, he seems to be back on the mend and seriously needing to get back out to shoot something!  Don’t we all know that feeling?

Anyway, looking forward to seeing what’s next on his agenda!

 

Where the “Other” Cowboys Are

Mark Anthony on December 8, 2016

Boyd Gaming Chute-Out at the Orleans Arena,

Just in case you just can’t get enough rodeo action with ten nights of Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, there is another rodeo happening just on the opposite side of the Las Vegas Strip.

The Boyd Gaming Chute-Out is happening at the Orleans Arena today through Saturday, December 10th. Three days of electrifying, action-packed rodeo with an all-star lineup of cowboys and cowgirls competing for the Championship title. Catch these athletes then have time to grab a bite to eat and head back over to the Thomas & Mack in time to see the other rodeo!

Some of the talent here are the same contestants you may have seen at the RFD-TV The American rodeo and even at the NFR in past years.  Due to the controversy with some of the fan favorites at the NFR jumping ship for the ERA circuit, they were not allowed to participate in the NFR this  year. Some of the world-champion rodeo talent that will be competing in the event includes five-time world champion Luke Branquinho, and Wade Sundell.

Also confirmed to compete for a competition purse totaling $200,000 are Joe Beaver and McCoy Profili, and Clay Tryan and Jade Corkill for Team Roping; Cort Scheer for Saddle Bronc; Chandler Bownds for Bull Riding; and Lindsay Sears for Barrel Racing. A total of 64 participants will compete during the afternoon rodeo event in a series of contests: Bareback Riding, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Tie-Down Roping, Barrel Racing and Bull Riding.

Ready for NASCAR Champions Week in Vegas?

Mark Anthony on November 20, 2016

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week

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It’s getting colder outside, we are preparing to huddle down at the Thomas & Mack for ten days of rodeo…. That must mean it’s also time for NASCAR to invade Las Vegas!! Checking the calendar, I am correct. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week™ returns to Las Vegas November 30-December 2, 2016 ! Are Your Ready??

Good, because NASCAR isn’t really ready yet. Not all the details have been released on what all is happening.  We do know that Sting is headlining the awards banquet at the Wynn. We do know the burnouts will be back.  There will be no autograph sessions.  Otherwise, it’s all still kind of up in the air!

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week

We do know this:

  • Drivers will attend several events during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week held at The Park in front of T-Mobile Arena
  • The Burnouts on the Las Vegas Strip, otherwise know as “NASCAR Victory Lap Fueled By Sunoco”, will be Thursday, December 1.  No time stated yet. Stick around, when we know, we will post it. change!
  • The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Awards™ will air on NBCSN on December 2, beginning at 9 p.m. ET. MRN and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio, Channel 90, will carry the awards show live.
  • There will not be any scheduled autograph sessions during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion’s Week

Want More Information?  Click Here For All The NASCAR Vegas Updates

PBR – Chase Outlaw Claims BlueDef Top Spot and Champion

Mark Anthony on November 1, 2016

PBR Chase Outlaw

The first ever BlueDef Finals to be held in las Vegas came down to the wire.  Monday night ended three days of some great Bull Riding, some tough bulls and even tougher cowboys trying to ride them.  Not only were they rising for the title of top BleDef Cowboy, but also a chance to move over to the T-Mobile Arena for the PBR World Finals later this week.  We were there and we will be at the T-Mobile for more action.  Follow us on Social Media for updates and other entertainment!

LAS VEGAS – Chase Outlaw (Hamberg, Arkansas), the hottest rider in the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) became both the BlueDEF Tour champion and the BlueDEF Finals event winner on Monday night at South Point Arena in front of a boisterous crowd.

The Arkansas cowboy won Round 3 with 87.5 points aboard Tom Horn (Double Bar J Cattle Co.), he then finished in third place in the championship round when he covered Gas Pedal (Humpz and Hornz/KMH Wes Ibrahimi) for 85 points. Outlaw jumped six places in the PBR world standings after earning 360 total points and crucial confidence going into the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals. Outlaw also won a total of $79,133.33 along with two belt buckles.

Chase Outlaw PBR BlueDef Champ

 

Nathan Schaper (Grassy Butte, North Dakota) finished in second place after riding JJ’s Pride (Joy Flowers/Wilson) for 77.5 points in Round 3. He won the championship round with the second highest score of the night, 87 points aboard King Buck (BMC Bucking Bulls). Schaper earned 205 points towards the world standings along with $18,133.33

Finishing in third was Neil Holmes (Houston, Texas) who scored 86.5 points on Blues Man (Davis Rodeo Ranch/Jerome Davis) during Round 3. He earned a total of 188.3 points along with $13,800.

Zane Cook (Fort Gibson, Oklahoma) was the fourth place finisher, picking up 150 points. He also took home $11,733.33 after riding War Party (BMC Bucking Bulls) during the championship round.

Juliano da Silva (Eloi Mendes, Brazil) earned 120 points towards the world standings when he covered Locomotive Exhaust (Lane & Austin Leffew/Lorenzo Pasillas) for 82 points during Round 3.

Five qualifiers from this weekend have advanced to the Built Ford Tough World Finals that start on Wednesday. Dener Barbosa (Paulo de Faria), Emilio Resende (Santa Helenado Goias, Brazil), Holmes, Cook and da Silva will all compete at the brand new T-Mobile Arena later this week.

American Bucking Bull Inc. also crowned a champion on Monday with their Maturity Champion being named. Slinger Jr. (Rockin I Rodeo Co.) won first with 88 points. Splitting second was Margy Time (D&H Cattle Co.) and Gangster Can Do (01 Cattle Co./Robbie Schroeder) each with scores of 87.33. ABBI paid out a total of $15,000 in the Maturity class.

The PBR’s grand finale will begin at Las Vegas’ brand-new T-Mobile Arena on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. PT and will culminate on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. PT with the crowning of the 2016 world champion.

About the BlueDEF Tour

The PBR’s BlueDEF Tour Presented by Real Time Pain Relief (BDT) began in 2014 as the premier expansion tour for the PBR, featuring the young, emerging bull riding talent alongside the some of the Superstars of the sport. The BlueDEF Tour brings the excitement and talent of the PBR that fans have come to expect from the leader in bull riding to cities across the U.S.  The tour is 100 percent produced and operated by PBR, providing fans the highest quality experience available. The BlueDEF Tour is proudly supported by Old World Industries BlueDEF and Peak Antifreeze Brands, Real Time Pain Relief, Pendleton Whisky, South Point Hotel and Casino, and the U.S. Border Patrol.

Click Here To Get Your PBR Tickets Today

(Photo Credit: Debbie D Anthony Photography)