A second Super Bowl — already? A new Raiders coach — already? A new sports team — already?
In almost 10 years, Las Vegas has gone from a land of no major professional team sports to being well on its way to having all four major professional leagues represented in town. With the Vegas Golden Knights and the Raiders already here — and the Oakland Athletics on their way — we’re just missing one. And last week, the NBA announced that a Vegas team is in the works.
Sports journalist and LVSportsBiz.com publisher Alan Snel talked to KNPR’s State of Nevada to break down the last couple of very busy weeks in Las Vegas’ rapidly growing sports industry.
- The Golden Knights fired their head coach, Bruce Cassidy, and immediately hired John Tortorella, despite them being mid-season and in line for the playoffs. This is their third new head coach in almost 10 years. “If you like hockey, you’re into the Golden Knights, just know that GM Kelly McCrimmon, it might not have been the most popular move, but the guy wants a win and will do anything to do it,” Snel said.
- The Raiders also hired a new head coach, Klint Kubiak. The Raiders are looking for a fresh start with this new coach. “He’s part of this new generation of young, offensive minds, (a) very intense guy,” Snel said. The team has had a new head coach every season since coming to Las Vegas.
- Super Bowl LXIII (63) will be at Allegiant Stadium, right here in Las Vegas. “Obviously, it’s a big deal for the hotels on the Strip. The NFL loves it. They get whatever they want,” Snel said. According to the United States Chamber of Commerce, the last Super Bowl Las Vegas hosted, in 2024, generated $1 billion in revenue for the city.
- The NBA is coming to Las Vegas, with main owner discussions including Magic Johnson, a former NBA all-star who met with Governor Joe Lombardo to discuss the potential of an NBA team in the Valley. Other big names include Lebron James, Bill Foley, and even Shaquille O’Neal, according to Snel.
- Our WNBA team, the Las Vegas Aces, is not looking to trade any of its top players this season. “You know, whenever you have A’ja Wilson on your team, you’re going to compete for a championship every season. Jackie Young is an incredible player. She’s kind of the number two player, if you will, on the team,” Snel noted. They are going for their fourth championship, and the season starts on May 9.
- The Oakland A’s are starting off the season pretty rough, with five losses in the American League West. “The young players to see it continue to develop their game plan, as you know, is to have these young players lead an upright kind of a forward trajectory right into Las Vegas and their stadium. (When we get to) 2028, look for the development of those young players,” Snel said.
Guest: Alan Snel, publisher of LV Sports Biz