The ownership group for the expansion AFL Las Vegas Outlaws has "stressed the importance of getting the community involved" -- ranging from "local business sponsorships to drawing rabid sports fans" in the market to games, according to Robert Horne of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. Rock Star Investment Group, the team ownership group that includes Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil, former NFLer Bob Hewko and aviation defense firm AeroGroup Founder & CEO Mark Daniels, are planning to bring to the team a "decidedly Vegas rock 'n' roll flair with a dance team entertaining the crowd during breaks in action, pregame entertainment, giveaways at the gate, and opportunities to win money by kicking field goals." The team's Facebook page, which debuted Aug. 13, "already has more than 3,000 'likes.'" Neil’s "rock-legend status has already contributed to $50,000 in season ticket sales, even before a single player had been signed." Hewko said, "That’s unheard of without a schedule." Hewko added that the team is "lining up Mötley Crüe sponsors and other businesses, nationally and locally." Horne noted the team is "waiting for the official schedule’s release before pushing corporate sponsorships." Daniels said, "Ticket sales, ticket sales, ticket sales is what we need to be a success financially." Hewko added that the Outlaws "want to use their influence to help their local sponsors grow." Hewko: "We are working with local business in addition to national businesses so that we have cross tie-ins to help local businesses make the most of their advertising dollars." Horne notes the club also is working with RSNs "to try to make the games accessible" on local TV. The owners of the previous Las Vegas AFL club, which left the city in '07, "cited a lack of local ownership as the reason they failed" (REVIEWJOURNAL.com, 11/10).
