Executives from the various Las Vegas pro sports franchises recently shared their insights on how the city "continues to emerge as a leader in sports entertainment," according to Richard Velotta of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. During a panel discussion yesterday titled "Game On," Golden Knights CMO Brian Killingsworth said that when the team began playing in '17, they and the community "embraced each other in the wake of the Oct. 1 shooting." He added that the team has since "maintained its presence and isn't just writing checks to charities." For the USL Lights, "focusing on the city's Hispanic market was a key to success." Lights Owner & CEO Brett Lashbrook said, "When you take the world's most popular game, put it in the world's most entertaining city and place it in downtown Las Vegas, it's not a surprise how much we have overindexed in the local Hispanic population of being drawn to Lights games. But it even surprised us as to how much success we've had in being able to tap into that market." Meanwhile, Raiders President Marc Badain said that Allegiant Stadium will "set a high bar for other cities competing to attract major events." Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority Dir of Sports Marketing & Special Events Lisa Motley said that with Allegiant Stadium due to open next year, they have "approached the NCAA about hosting some 24 collegiate championship events in the years ahead," from Final Fours and Frozen Fours, to golf championships, rowing events and other court sports (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 9/26).
