Sin City bets Marlins would be a huge hit

 

BY MICHAEL McCARTHY

GANNETT NEWS SERVICE

 

LAS VEGAS - Oscar Goodman says he'll wager on anything and everything: football games, the passage of city ordinances, even a cockroach race.

 

Now, the Las Vegas mayor is making the biggest bet of his career -- that he can lure a pro sports team such as baseball's Florida Marlins to Sin City.

 

If the Dallas Cowboys are "America's team," a Las Vegas franchise would be the "world's team," says Goodman, former defense attorney for mobsters such as Meyer Lansky.

 

Goodman, admittedly a betting man, is wagering he'll throw out the first pitch for a Las Vegas baseball team by 2008.

 

"To be a great American city, you have to have sports," says Goodman, who played a mob lawyer in the movie "Casino."

 

Can you say Viva Las Vegas?

 

With a population approaching 2 million, Las Vegas is one of America's fastest-growing metro areas. The town already has boxing, pro wrestling, Ultimate Fighting, NASCAR, the Arena Football League Gladiators and the Class AAA affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

 

Now, Vegas wants one of the Big Four pro sports: MLB, NBA, NFL or NHL.

 

Pro leagues are running out of markets without a big-league franchise. As the stigma fades surrounding various forms of gambling -- from sports betting, poker and fantasy sports to Native American casinos, state lotteries and church bingos -- a pro team in Las Vegas could be a matter of when, not if.

 

Betting is the ultimate taboo in pro sports. Just ask Pete Rose. Despite Time magazine giddily proclaiming Las Vegas the "New All-American City," none of the major sports has embraced the city.

 

Until now.

 

Before the Florida Marlins received the OK to seek a new home last week, Goodman talked with team vice chairman Joel Mael. The mating dance infuriated Miami's mayor, Manny Diaz, who said he was "shocked, disturbed, disappointed, disgusted."

 

Besides Goodman, a powerful group of residents is beating the drum for pro sports. Hall of Fame slugger Reggie Jackson is leading a deep-pocketed investment group looking to buy an MLB team and move it here.

 

If successful, he'd be the first African-American managing partner of a MLB franchise. Jackson says he'll invite fellow African-American Hall of Famers Henry Aaron, Willie Mays, Bob Gibson and Ernie Banks to participate as equity investors or as advisers.

 

"Certainly, I think about the impact that Jackie Robinson had," Jackson said. "Jackie, I hope, will be smiling. I hope his wife will be smiling."

 

Gavin Maloof, owner of Maloof Sports & Entertainment, which owns the NBA's Sacramento Kings and the WNBA Monarchs, says he would "look closely" at joining an acquisition bid by Jackson: "This is all Reggie talks about. He's a man possessed."

 

This bawdy, tawdry city in the Mojave Desert celebrates its 100th birthday this year. Its odds of landing a pro team are improving as the cards finally turn this city's way.

 

The Marlins, two-time World Series champions, will talk to all markets that pursued the Montreal Expos before they became the Washington Nationals, team president David Samson said last week.

 

Among the contenders: Las Vegas, northern New Jersey, Portland, Ore., and Monterrey, Mexico. Previously, Las Vegas agreed to host baseball's winter meetings in 2008.

 

Las Vegas appears to have numbers to support a team. The gambling engine has created a $72 billion local economy with annual job growth at 7.4 percent. A team could tap a potential annual fan base of 39.2 million residents and tourists, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce says. The population of Clark County has tripled to 1.8 million the past 20 years. Sin City attracted 37.4 million visitors in 2004, figures show.

 

Las Vegas ranks as the nation's 48th largest TV market with 651,110 TV households, according to Nielsen Media Research. That's more than Buffalo, behind Oklahoma City.

 

The problem? Many potential fans are either seasonal residents who flee town during the summer heat or night-shift workers unable to attend evening games.

 

Any attempt to move a Big Four pro team here will draw opposition from gambling foes who view Nevada, home of legalized prostitution (although not in Las Vegas) and gambling, as Sodom and Gomorrah.

 

The National Coalition Against Gambling Expansion, a coalition of consumer groups fighting legalized gambling in 30 U.S. states, would launch a letter-writing campaign to make pro sports in Las Vegas an issue during the 2008 presidential campaign, executive director Tom Grey vows.

 

Maloof counters a Las Vegas team would be the "safest" in the country. Sports betting is legal, regulated by the state. The casinos helped uncover a point-shaving scheme at Arizona State in 1994.

 

There are other potential problems. Besides the UNLV basketball teams of the Jerry Tarkanian era, no sports team has drawn well in Las Vegas, although some say fans here want to see major-league stars, not minor-leaguers.

 

Even if Goodman lands the Marlins, he has no stadium for them. The mayor has set aside a 61-acre downtown site to build a domed park, city hall and performing arts center.

 

While the hurdles are formidable, Goodman is the kind of politician who could pull it off. The 66-year-old Philadelphia native won re-election with 86 percent of the vote in 2003. The politically incorrect, martini-guzzling mayor surrounds himself with showgirls and Elvis impersonators during public appearances.

 

Goodman put the sin back in Sin City's image by ordering up the risque "What happens here, stays here" tourism campaign that portrays Las Vegas as the no-questions-asked playground for consenting adults.

 

Goodman thinks big. He surprised the NFL by offering to build a stadium -- just to host all Monday night games. The league turned him down, according to NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy.

 

Goodman still simmers over what he perceives as snubs by the NFL. The league is hypocritical for banning Las Vegas tourism commercials on Super Bowl telecasts when football betting lines are everywhere, he says.

 

Opponents worried that pro sports would spark a resurgence in organized crime should recognize that era ended for good in the late 1980s, says Goodman, subject of the recent biography "Of Rats and Men."

 

"There's no organized crime in Las Vegas," he said. "None. And I know it. Because I used to represent them."

 

 

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/.../511300389/1002

Do it and make it quick.

 

No need for a slow death in Florida.

Las Vegas ranks as the nation's 48th largest TV market with 651,110 TV households, according to Nielsen Media Research. That's more than Buffalo, behind Oklahoma City.

 

The problem? Many potential fans are either seasonal residents who flee town during the summer heat or night-shift workers unable to attend evening games.

 

enough said. I don't see how long term Vegas would be better than South Florida.

Las Vegas ranks as the nation's 48th largest TV market with 651,110 TV households, according to Nielsen Media Research. That's more than Buffalo, behind Oklahoma City.

 

The problem? Many potential fans are either seasonal residents who flee town during the summer heat or night-shift workers unable to attend evening games.

 

enough said. I don't see how long term Vegas would be better than South Florida.

38 million visitors per year.

I still say San Antonio.

 

If they donot move to Vegas I really do not think we need another team in the North East?

 

Please god dont move down to Mexico!!!

 

So if the Marlins do move to Vegas will they stay in the NL East or will they go to the West?

Besides Goodman, a powerful group of residents is beating the drum for pro sports. Hall of Fame slugger Reggie Jackson is leading a deep-pocketed investment group looking to buy an MLB team and move it here.

 

If successful, he'd be the first African-American managing partner of a MLB franchise. Jackson says he'll invite fellow African-American Hall of Famers Henry Aaron, Willie Mays, Bob Gibson and Ernie Banks to participate as equity investors or as advisers.

 

Isn't the whole point of this thing that Loria isn't willing to sell the franchise?

Funny how people seem to forget Goodman spent more than half his adult life as a mob lawyer.

 

He actually may be more of an impediment to Vegas getting a professional franchise in much the same way it took corporate America buying out the mob to legitimize the city.

The mayor of Las Vegas should commision the help other than public relations consultants if he ever hopes to get this idea off the ground.

Las Vegas ranks as the nation's 48th largest TV market with 651,110 TV households, according to Nielsen Media Research. That's more than Buffalo, behind Oklahoma City.

 

The problem? Many potential fans are either seasonal residents who flee town during the summer heat or night-shift workers unable to attend evening games.

 

enough said. I don't see how long term Vegas would be better than South Florida.

38 million visitors per year.

yeah. seriously, you don't go to Vegas to watch baseball.

 

And Vegas would never reach the media audience down here

Screw Vegas!!!

Funny how people seem to forget Goodman spent more than half his adult life as a mob lawyer.

 

He actually may be more of an impediment to Vegas getting a professional franchise in much the same way it took corporate America buying out the mob to legitimize the city.

 

Look at the bright side, he can have mob bosses give the visiting team an . . . "accident" :evil

Funny how people seem to forget Goodman spent more than half his adult life as a mob lawyer.

 

He actually may be more of an impediment to Vegas getting a professional franchise in much the same way it took corporate America buying out the mob to legitimize the city.

 

Look at the bright side, he can have mob bosses give the visiting team an . . . "accident" :evil

 

Goodman is giving us an offer we couldn't refuse....

the excitement from various las vegas officals is one of the most promising things about all of this. especially when you consider the crap we have had to deal with in miami for oh so long.

 

 

there are many promising things coming out of vegas, and if it materializes, its a very good thing for this franchise. Not for Miami or its fans, but afterall they have had numerous chances before.

 

btw...I mentioned this possibility a long time ago, scroll down to the may 10,2001 entry..

 

Link

 

and lastly. san antonio is in no way, shape or form ready for MLB. While I would personally do backflips for years, it wouldnt be in this franchise's best interests.

Las Vegas ranks as the nation's 48th largest TV market with 651,110 TV households, according to Nielsen Media Research. That's more than Buffalo, behind Oklahoma City.

 

The problem? Many potential fans are either seasonal residents who flee town during the summer heat or night-shift workers unable to attend evening games.

 

enough said. I don't see how long term Vegas would be better than South Florida.

38 million visitors per year.

Nobody goes to Vegas to watch baseball. People go for the legal gambling and the legal prostitute ass, not to watch a baseball game.

Las Vegas ranks as the nation's 48th largest TV market with 651,110 TV households, according to Nielsen Media Research. That's more than Buffalo, behind Oklahoma City.

 

The problem? Many potential fans are either seasonal residents who flee town during the summer heat or night-shift workers unable to attend evening games.

 

enough said. I don't see how long term Vegas would be better than South Florida.

38 million visitors per year.

Nobody goes to Vegas to watch baseball. People go for the legal gambling and the legal prostitute ass, not to watch a baseball game.

 

ya cause people dont care about AAA. give them a MLB franchise and I'd be willing to bet things would change. you really are comparing apples to oranges anyway.

Las Vegas ranks as the nation's 48th largest TV market with 651,110 TV households, according to Nielsen Media Research. That's more than Buffalo, behind Oklahoma City.

 

The problem? Many potential fans are either seasonal residents who flee town during the summer heat or night-shift workers unable to attend evening games.

 

enough said. I don't see how long term Vegas would be better than South Florida.

38 million visitors per year.

Nobody goes to Vegas to watch baseball. People go for the legal gambling and the legal prostitute ass, not to watch a baseball game.

 

ya cause people dont care about AAA. give them a MLB franchise and I'd be willing to bet things would change. you really are comparing apples to oranges anyway.

 

How many visitors does South Florida get every year? I'm sure none of them come to watch the Marlins, the Dolphins or even the Heat.

Las Vegas ranks as the nation's 48th largest TV market with 651,110 TV households, according to Nielsen Media Research. That's more than Buffalo, behind Oklahoma City.

 

The problem? Many potential fans are either seasonal residents who flee town during the summer heat or night-shift workers unable to attend evening games.

 

enough said. I don't see how long term Vegas would be better than South Florida.

38 million visitors per year.

Nobody goes to Vegas to watch baseball. People go for the legal gambling and the legal prostitute ass, not to watch a baseball game.

 

ya cause people dont care about AAA. give them a MLB franchise and I'd be willing to bet things would change. you really are comparing apples to oranges anyway.

 

How many visitors does South Florida get every year? I'm sure none of them come to watch the Marlins, the Dolphins or even the Heat.

 

 

when i visit i'm going specifically for the marlins.

 

so thats 1. there are many people who goto a city for various levels of recreation and if there is a professional sports franchise in town that is often included on the docket of things to do.

Las Vegas ranks as the nation's 48th largest TV market with 651,110 TV households, according to Nielsen Media Research. That's more than Buffalo, behind Oklahoma City.

 

The problem? Many potential fans are either seasonal residents who flee town during the summer heat or night-shift workers unable to attend evening games.

 

enough said. I don't see how long term Vegas would be better than South Florida.

38 million visitors per year.

Nobody goes to Vegas to watch baseball. People go for the legal gambling and the legal prostitute ass, not to watch a baseball game.

 

ya cause people dont care about AAA. give them a MLB franchise and I'd be willing to bet things would change. you really are comparing apples to oranges anyway.

 

How many visitors does South Florida get every year? I'm sure none of them come to watch the Marlins, the Dolphins or even the Heat.

 

 

when i visit i'm going specifically for the marlins.

 

so thats 1. there are many people who goto a city for various levels of recreation and if there is a professional sports franchise in town that is often included on the docket of things to do.

Well congratulations for being a loyal fan and traveling just to see the fish play. But I guess that our meager attendance shows how most of the tourists that go to Florida are not interested in watching the marlins play. There is nothing that will make me think that the 38 million visitors that Las Vegas receives every year will make of the Las Vegas Marlins a successful organization.

well the stadium isnt exactly easily accessible to the visitor neither.

 

 

locate a stadium in the middle of a huge entertainment district or easily accessible to various forms of transportation and it works.

 

 

tourism 101

well the stadium isnt exactly easily accessible to the visitor neither.

 

 

locate a stadium in the middle of a huge entertainment district or easily accessible to various forms of transportation and it works.

 

 

tourism 101

 

Point taken. Lets see, I just hope that we don't need to talk about vegas anymore. The marlins have to stay in south florida.

well the stadium isnt exactly easily accessible to the visitor neither.

 

 

locate a stadium in the middle of a huge entertainment district or easily accessible to various forms of transportation and it works.

 

 

tourism 101

 

Point taken. Lets see, I just hope that we don't need to talk about vegas anymore. The marlins have to stay in south florida.

 

and its not like south florida hasnt had numerous chances to keep this team there and each time there has been some excuse.

well the stadium isnt exactly easily accessible to the visitor neither.

 

 

locate a stadium in the middle of a huge entertainment district or easily accessible to various forms of transportation and it works.

 

 

tourism 101

 

Point taken. Lets see, I just hope that we don't need to talk about vegas anymore. The marlins have to stay in south florida.

 

and its not like south florida hasnt had numerous chances to keep this team there and each time there has been some excuse.

If it was within my college freshman powers I'd keep them in South Fla. Sadly, I only have power over my half of the dorm, and that is only at times. :plain

Las Vegas ranks as the nation's 48th largest TV market with 651,110 TV households, according to Nielsen Media Research. That's more than Buffalo, behind Oklahoma City.

 

The problem? Many potential fans are either seasonal residents who flee town during the summer heat or night-shift workers unable to attend evening games.

enough said. I don't see how long term Vegas would be better than South Florida.38 million visitors per year.And all 38 million of them interested in nothing but sex and gambling.

Las Vegas ranks as the nation's 48th largest TV market with 651,110 TV households, according to Nielsen Media Research. That's more than Buffalo, behind Oklahoma City.

 

The problem? Many potential fans are either seasonal residents who flee town during the summer heat or night-shift workers unable to attend evening games.

enough said. I don't see how long term Vegas would be better than South Florida.38 million visitors per year.And all 38 million of them interested in nothing but sex and gambling.

and most of the locals are either retired with allegiances to other teams, or work at the casino's at night.

you people make it sound like vegas is all about sin and nothing else.

 

 

ps. vegas I believe has a higher median income than miami.