I KNOW Vegas wanted a Pro sports team. I DO think the Vegas Raiders in the NFL would do just fine, bolstered by the Southern California fans that would commute to the games, along with all the fans from the visiting team that would plan their Fall around a Vegas trip (every time UNLV played Wisconsin, 30,000 Badger fans would always travel).
However, I am pessimistic about how the NHL will do. Granted, I may be biased, as I just don't get Hockey. One of my biggest disappointments was when I attended my 1st NHL game to see the Kings. I was always told "Once you see the game in person you will love it". That most certainly was not the case, and I will just say Hockey is not my sport.
I think quite a few curious sports fans are going to come away with similar reactions. I always felt that Hockey was a sport where 2% of the Population absolutely loved it, but the rest didn't care about it. Given Vegas has 2 million people, that's 60,000 people that are going to have to attend an awful lot of games to fill the arena. Further, Vegas Locals are very value oriented. Are they really going to want to spend large dollars to attend Hockey games?
The T-Mobile Arena is located in arguably THE most congested part of the Strip. I know many locals that have NEVER been to the 9 Billion Dollar City Center, they avoid the Strip at all costs. I cannot see them fighting traffic to attend games. Further, while I see the Tourists attending the big concerts and other events at T-Mobile, I wonder whether they will want to attend an NHL game when Sin City has so much entertainment options to offer at night.
I am further concerned with the Season starting in October. This IS a fall football town, and I just cannot see any of the sports fans I know attending games Monday-Thursday-Saturday-Sunday when the NFL and CFB games are on TV.
However, the early returns are VERY favorable. 14,000 have put down at least a deposit on Season Tickets, and the airwaves are filled with optimism. Hockey fans are EVERYWHERE, all proclaiming the games will sell out, and this will be a great success.
I cannot ignore this feedback; I remain pessimistic, however, I give Hockey at least a chance to be a success in Vegas. However, as a betting man, I would still bet against it. Let's see what the attendance figures look like three years in, after back to back losing seasons to start the Franchise off. Vegas loves a winner, and I don't see them supporting a big loser despite the novelty of a Pro sports team.
What do you guys think? Will the Black Knights (or whatever they go with) be a huge attendance hit? A lukewarm success? A disappointment? Or a Disaster?
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