Las Vegas NHL team President Kerry Bubolz spent more than a decade with the Cavaliers, but in his new role he has "no players to market" and "not much of a staff to sign corporate sponsors," according to Steve Carp of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. Bubolz also has "no schedule to promote" and "no gear to sell." But he has "worked in sports long enough to know that the days on the calendar fly by," and when opening night "takes place less than a year from now, he better be ready." Bubolz: "It’s a sprint to next October." Bubolz "officially begins his job Nov. 1," and he sees himself "more as a business partner" to Las Vegas team Owner Bill Foley than an employee. Bubolz: "I don’t think I did as much about selling him on my vision as much as ‘Hey, I’m capable.'" Bubolz "knows the community is ready to support hockey." Bubolz: "When you look at the 16,000 who put down money not knowing if there would be a team and seeing the enthusiasm in town now that the team is here, it’s an exciting time." Foley said of Bubolz, "He has the entire package. We interviewed several people, and Kerry seemed to rise to the top of the list. He’s easy to work with. He leaves his ego at the door. He’s a very understated guy and a solid family man. He’s everything I was looking for in a team president to run our business side" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/23).
STEALING THEIR THUNDER: In Las Vegas, Ron Kantowski wrote for now, "most attention has turned to the possibility" of the Raiders moving to Las Vegas, and there "isn't much interest anymore about who will drive the Zamboni" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 10/23).
