The WNBA Las Vegas Aces have been working hard to engage an entirely new fan base through their marketing efforts in the lead-up to today's WNBA Draft, their first in Sin City since relocating from San Antonio. The Aces will be hosting a Draft party at Mandalay Bay this afternoon and are expecting around 200 season-ticket holders to be in attendance. Aces Head of Business Operations Lance Evans said the team has communicated its preparations as it relates to the Draft itself and who the Aces will take with the No. 1 overall pick through direct marketing to season-ticket holders, social media and local TV and radio partners. He noted the team will not be unveiling anything new at the Draft to devote all their attention toward their first overall pick. Evans: “We think that the player has earned that, and with it being our first pick in franchise history we want to make sure that the spotlight is on that player.” Evans added the team will be putting the “power of the Las Vegas brand” behind their marketing strategy to ensure the player is welcomed to the city. Regarding how the team will be promoted in a new market this season, Evans said the goal is to “introduce our players to the community.” The initial stages of the Aces’ marketing efforts heavily involved President of Basketball Operations and coach Bill Laimbeer due to his stature as one of the WNBA’s leading ambassadors, but it has now evolved into promoting marquee players who are currently in market, like G Moriah Jefferson.
WORKING TOGETHER: Evans didn’t express concern about standing out in a suddenly growing Las Vegas pro sports market. He said the Aces “don’t actually have to compete," but instead can "complement” the Golden Knights and Raiders. He added the Aces will not have to fight for fans on game days, as the WNBA season does not overlap with the NHL or NFL. Evans: “It’s a nice synergy, both the Golden Knights and the Raiders have been very helpful in our process of introducing the team to the community and are very much in line with supporting Las Vegas as a sports town.”
