LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — The idea of Las Vegas getting its own NBA team has sparked mixed reactions all over the valley.
News 3 spoke with tourists, locals, and even a former local basketball star about what this announcement could mean for Las Vegas.
“I think Vegas would do well with the basketball team. I think there are enough people here. I think it would be an attraction for casinos and hotels, maybe,” said Las Vegas tourist Ed Vocke.
Wednesday’s announcement of the NBA’s board of governors’ vote to approve the exploration of bids for a potential NBA team expansion to Las Vegas sparked a frenzy amongst many avid sports fans.
“It will be more tourism, so that is good for Vegas, and it will have all of the sports teams covered professional pretty much, and also more revenue for the city, so it is not a bad thing for Vegas,” Las Vegas resident, Tyson Thompson added.
While some longtime residents and former professional basketball players say they never fathomed Vegas becoming a sports mecca, they say it’s about time the soon-to-be sports capital of the world got its own NBA team.
“It never was a reality that set in because the only thing that was in Vegas at that time when I was playing in the 80’s, was UNLV. So, then when you brought the hockey in, it started getting bigger, and then after the hockey, then here comes the Aces, and now the Aces are in, and now, you’re getting baseball. So, it was never in my wildest dreams that you would have a pro team here whatsoever. Basketball is definitely missing here now, and I am pretty sure that they will get it here,” former UNLV Runnin’ Rebel Freddie Banks said.
Although the concept of bringing a new team to Las Vegas is just in the beginning stages, the idea of where the new team could play has sparked a bit of controversy amongst some locals who debate whether the Las Vegas strip is a good option.
“I don’t think it would need to be, but I think that it should be. I think it is a little bit more fun, the energy down there for the Golden Knights games we have all experienced. I think it would be great for the city,” Westgate Vice President of Race and Sports John Murray said.
“It has to be away from the strip because there are already too many around the A’s and are putting a new ballpark right there on Tropicana, so there is too much congestion already,” Thompson added.
Despite some of the mixed reviews, what many say they agree on is the success and revenue a new NBA team would bring to Las Vegas.
“It would be great for business, that is my first thought, the Golden Knights were doing for NHL betting in the city, NBA is already so popular in the city,” Murray said
“Vegas is a town that for years couldn’t have any professional sports, so I think the city and the state has been hungry for it. They’ve got it piece by piece now, football, hockey, baseball is coming, basketball is the next natural easy progression, so I think it would do well,” said Vocke.
“Absolutely, because you have got to look at the hockey team is successful, the WNBA is successful the you’re bringing baseball here pretty soon, and that is going to be successful,” said Banks.