Las Vegas rumored to get an expansion team

[Mckinley25 677]

I don't know the ins and outs of it, but I assume this is purely business related, they must see a profit in it.

[55fan 5,133]

There are vices in other cities, but Vegas pimps them (if you'll pardon the expression). How many guys believe the "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" mantra? They probably don't have the same attitude about Winnipeg or Dallas, even though they could just as easily get in trouble there.

Vegas promotes the "Sin City" image. No one gets drunk and yells "We're going to St. Louis!" and starts a thousand-mile road trip expecting to break all the rules when they get there.

If someone is well-grounded and has their priorities straight, Vegas will be just another stop and another game, but for the young ones looking for a party it could be just as much of a license to cut loose as it would be for any of us if we found out that we were traveling there for a business trip.

I could be wrong, but I would think that this is something that would be more of an issue with the visiting team. The actual Las Vegas Crap Shooters (this just MUST be the name- please let it be the name) themselves would live there and have their families and/or a community of players and coaches and team employees there to keep them grounded. It might seem like an adventure at first, but after some serious knuckling down to business, it would be just another place to work.

[LeftWinger 4,951]

My in-laws lived and worked in Vegas for 10 years (they JUST moved back to South Florida) and they did just that, lived and worked. They gambled once in a bit, but it's not like its was an every night party that most would think it would be....now when they had visitors from out of town, that was a-whole-nother story...

[Shinzaki 72]

"What happens in Vegas" is advertising...I'm not sure you can put much stock in that. I mean...does anyone think Walt Disney World is really the happiest place on earth? I've been there a bunch of times...crying kids, stressed parents, a line of bewildered people waiting to pay $4 for a $1.50 bottle of Dasani water. It's not happy...it's hell.

Edited August 10, 2015 by Shinzaki

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

"What happens in Vegas" is advertising...I'm not sure you can put much stock in that. I mean...does anyone think Walt Disney World is really the happiest place on earth? I've been there a bunch of times...crying kids, stressed parents, a line of bewildered people waiting to pay $4 for a $1.50 bottle of Dasani water. It's not happy...it's hell.

Are you saying because Disney world over charges for a bottle of water that gambling, drugs and prostitutes don't exist in Vegas by the boatloads? Good to know...

[number9 3,297]

I've been to the Grand Canyon. It wasn't grand at all, just a big hole in the ground. False advertising. No wonder the yotes never worked.

[Shinzaki 72]

Are you saying because Disney world over charges for a bottle of water that gambling, drugs and prostitutes don't exist in Vegas by the boatloads? Good to know...

Wow..that is possibly the dumbest thing I've read this year. I'm saying that you can't confuse the hype of advertising with reality. All of the ills that exist in Vegas exist in most large, urban areas...the difference is that vegas has decided to make it the rationale for visiting them. Our franchise OWNER has an interest in a Casino..unless you accept the wife subterfuge as reality...do we really want to use gambling as a reason to not expand to Vegas? That seems really stupid

Edited August 10, 2015 by Shinzaki

[Shinzaki 72]

I've been to the Grand Canyon. It wasn't grand at all, just a big hole in the ground. False advertising. No wonder the yotes never worked.

The Grand Canyon is about 4 hours fro Phoenix...are you sure that's the joke you want to make? That's like saying..."Man...Wrigley Field is vastly overrated, why did I visit Detroit?"

[Bannedforlife 403]

If a bunch of young, rich, single men want to blow all their money on gambling and hookers, it won't bother me in the slightest. Not too sure why anyone else would care either. I'm fairly certain that the majority of them will be able to balance their partying and professional duties just fine. Christ, Pete Rose was a gambling addict and he managed to become the greatest hitter of all time. And if they aren't able to do their job they probably aren't NHL material anyway.

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

Wow..that is possibly the dumbest thing I've read this year. I'm saying that you can't confuse the hype of advertising with reality. All of the ills that exist in Vegas exist in most large, urban areas...the difference is that vegas has decided to make it the rationale for visiting them. Our franchise OWNER has an interest in a Casino..unless you accept the wife subterfuge as reality...do we really want to use gambling as a reason to not expand to Vegas? That seems really stupid

If you don't think there are NHL players dumb enough to take the phrase "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" literally, then I've got a map to the happiest place on earth to sell you... Edited August 10, 2015 by jimmyemeryhunter

[amato 3,210]

I would call the team the Las Vegas PawnStars and have Chumlee do something.... somehow...for the franchise.

back up zamboni driver seems fitting

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

If a bunch of young, rich, single men want to blow all their money on gambling and hookers, it won't bother me in the slightest. Not too sure why anyone else would care either. I'm fairly certain that the majority of them will be able to balance their partying and professional duties just fine. Christ, Pete Rose was a gambling addict and he managed to become the greatest hitter of all time. And if they aren't able to do their job they probably aren't NHL material anyway.

Really not a good example to use for your post, That dude was betting on games he played in. Ha.

I don't care if they do all those things, but you can't tell me it doesn't raise the odds of scandalous things occurring. Whether it be with prostitutes and kids/STDs/god knows what else would pop up when the ladies of the night realize they're temporarily employed by multimillionaires. Or with players that have or develop gambling problems and end up getting their legs broken because of unpaid debts.

The legality of it just makes it that much more accessible to people with that kind of money, and doing something excessively tends to lead to dependency.

The NHL is already one of the least popular professional sports, if they're inundated by scandals or even one gambling rumor it will hurt the brand.

I get expanding into Vegas will be a big draw being the first professional sport there, and I hope it works out well and I think if managed properly it could be successful. I just don't think its as easy as let them do what they want, if they can't balance that with hockey they don't belong, ya know?

Edited August 10, 2015 by jimmyemeryhunter

[Shinzaki 72]

If you don't think there are NHL players dumb enough to take the phrase "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" literally, then I've got a map to the happiest place on earth to sell you...

Do you honestly think that there aren't many...many..people (some of them drop dead gorgeous women) lined up and waiting in every NHL city (OK..maybe not Edmonton) to tempt a group of young, athletic multi-millionaires with virtually every vice known to man? These guys don't need to look for "entertainment"..it looks for them. They don't need any ads or help from the chamber of commerce to sort it out.

The idea that Vegas is somehow truly unique in this respect is laughable...

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

Do you honestly think that there aren't many...many..people (some of them drop dead gorgeous women) lined up and waiting in every NHL city (OK..maybe not Edmonton) to tempt a group of young, athletic multi-millionaires with virtually every vice known to man? These guys don't need to look for "entertainment"..it looks for them. They don't need any ads or help from the chamber of commerce to sort it out.

The idea that Vegas is somehow truly unique in this respect is laughable...

I know they have those opportunities, and it is kind of unique in the sense that its the only place prostitution is legal.

I'm not saying I don't think most nhlers couldnt have the same things that Vegas offers anywhere else, I just said that there are players who are definitely dumb enough to believe that what they do there will never be exposed.

They have those options in any major city, sure, but you know its not as easily accessible as it is in Vegas.

in Vegas those temptations don't just come to them, they get them hammered drunk for free, and surround them with bad ideas and convinces them no one will ever find out.

[Shinzaki 72]

Find out what...that they got drunk and f***ed a woman? I think we all know that that sort of thing goes on now

[Hockeymom1960 5,107]

If a bunch of young, rich, single men want to blow all their money on gambling and hookers, it won't bother me in the slightest. Not too sure why anyone else would care either. I'm fairly certain that the majority of them will be able to balance their partying and professional duties just fine. Christ, Pete Rose was a gambling addict and he managed to become the greatest hitter of all time. And if they aren't able to do their job they probably aren't NHL material anyway.

So why hasn't the MBL, NBA or NFL expanded there?

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

Find out what...that they got drunk and f***ed a woman? I think we all know that that sort of thing goes on now

yeah, but their wife might not.

[DickieDunn 2,571]

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, except VD. You bring that home.

[Euro_Twins 4,475]

Wow..that is possibly the dumbest thing I've read this year. I'm saying that you can't confuse the hype of advertising with reality. All of the ills that exist in Vegas exist in most large, urban areas...the difference is that vegas has decided to make it the rationale for visiting them. Our franchise OWNER has an interest in a Casino..unless you accept the wife subterfuge as reality...do we really want to use gambling as a reason to not expand to Vegas? That seems really stupid

You compare Mickey mouse to casino city and I'm the one who has the dumb post? Just because you've been to Disney world and you saw some stressed out parents does not mean nhl players won't getvdrawn into the tempations of Vegas and start giving the league even more unnecessary drama

[Shinzaki 72]

You compare Mickey mouse to casino city and I'm the one who has the dumb post? Just because you've been to Disney world and you saw some stressed out parents does not mean nhl players won't getvdrawn into the tempations of Vegas and start giving the league even more unnecessary drama

Again...there isn't really a comparison being made between Disney and Vegas directly....it's more of a conceptual "appearance vs reality" statement that apparently eludes you. In spite of what the ad geniuses that work for the Vegas hotels, niteclubs and casinos want you to think, the "temptations" in Vegas are the same temptations these guys will face in any city...gambling...sex...drugs...liquor. They have all that stuff pretty much everywhere... including here in Detroit where the same people that own the NHL team OWN A CASINO.

Re VD...you are probably less like to catch an STD in Nevada since the girls in states where prostitution is legal get tested for STD's as part of their licensing.

I'm not sure why anyone who screws around on their wife would be more likely to have their wife find out about it if they did it in Vegas...do you think that the party chicks in Calgary are more discreet?

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

Again...there isn't really a comparison being made between Disney and Vegas directly....it's more of a conceptual "appearance vs reality" statement that apparently eludes you. In spite of what the ad geniuses that work for the Vegas hotels, niteclubs and casinos want you to think, the "temptations" in Vegas are the same temptations these guys will face in any city...gambling...sex...drugs...liquor. They have all that stuff pretty much everywhere... including here in Detroit where the same people that own the NHL team OWN A CASINO.

Re VD...you are probably less like to catch an STD in Nevada since the girls in states where prostitution is legal get tested for STD's as part of their licensing.

I'm not sure why anyone who screws around on their wife would be more likely to have their wife find out about it if they did it in Vegas...do you think that the party chicks in Calgary are more discreet?

Re-read what I posted.

I said the exact opposite, that the random girls would have less discretion than the woman who does it professionally.

And you keep repeating that they're faced with the exact same temptations as they would in Vegas. Yes. They could find trouble in most cities, but in vegas you can buy it instantaneously without having to hunt it down, or set up shop somewhere to wait for it to come to you. The point was that its more readily available in Vegas, which you acknowledged with your comment on prostitution licensing.

Vegas is built on a foundation of excess, and selling someone as much "sin" as their money allows them to get in, do you really think there will be the same amount of trouble in Vegas as there would be in say Seattle or Maine?

Because that kind of sounds like comparing a prostitutes pricetag to a ticket to Disney land.

Edited August 11, 2015 by jimmyemeryhunter

[Shinzaki 72]

Seattle and Maine don't have NHL franchises....do you really think there's any kind of temptation in Vegas that there isn't in Detroit?

This whole Disney thing is really in your head, isn't it? you can't quite wrap your head around the concept that advertising distorts perception...and by etension "reality" They want you to think Disney world is the happiest place on earth and that Vegas is some unique party town that offers an array of "temptations" found nowhere else. Millions are spent to convince you of that...but neither concept is true.

Name one thing a rich young athlete will find in Vegas he won't find here..or LA..or Chicago or New York

[nawein 324]

Seattle and Maine don't have NHL franchises....do you really think there's any kind of temptation in Vegas that there isn't in Detroit?

This whole Disney thing is really in your head, isn't it? you can't quite wrap your head around the concept that advertising distorts perception...and by etension "reality" They want you to think Disney world is the happiest place on earth and that Vegas is some unique party town that offers an array of "temptations" found nowhere else. Millions are spent to convince you of that...but neither concept is true.

Name one thing a rich young athlete will find in Vegas he won't find here..or LA..or Chicago or New York

Legal prostitution.

[jimmyemeryhunter 2,747]

1.Seattle and Maine don't have NHL franchises....do you really think there's any kind of temptation in Vegas that there isn't in Detroit?

2.this whole Disney thing is really in your head, isn't it? you can't quite wrap your head around the concept that advertising distorts perception...and by etension "reality" They want you to think Disney world is the happiest place on earth and that Vegas is some unique party town that offers an array of "temptations" found nowhere else. Millions are spent to convince you of that...but neither concept is true.

3.Name one thing a rich young athlete will find in Vegas he won't find here..or LA..or Chicago or New York

1. I am completely aware that Maine and Seattle do not have teams, I was comparing them because they're all locations that have been rumored to have a chance at getting a franchise when the league expanded. And as I've already said, multiple times, I AM AWARE THAT YOU CAN FIND THE SAME TEMPTATIONS IN MOST CITIES THAT ARE AVAILABLE IN VEGAS. but they're not the same situation.

2. I wasn't the one originally saying anything about your analogy, but no one is having trouble understanding what you mean. We get it, its advertisements designed to get you to spend your money there.

But if a marketing plan is going to be effective it has to be somewhat descriptive of the actual experience. Is Disney world the happiest place on earth? To a small child who loves Disney movies, I'd imagine it would be a very happy place. Just because these places use catch phrases that aren't entirely true doesnt mean that theyre entirely false. They're indicative of the experience that you'll have. If you have to have everything spelled out for you, then of course youre going to say the way they market things is a complete lie. You can't see the difference in illegally soliciting sex in one place, and legally going to the brothel in Nevada.

3. aside from legal prostitution, sports betting is legal in Nevada. If las Vegas does actually get a team, it will be the only hockey team in the NHL with legalized sports betting in its home state. And theres more than a few players who have had problems with gambling in the past.

Also.

I'm going to have to say this again, because for some reason you don't seem to be understanding.

So once again.

I am not saying that they cannot find prostitutes, strip clubs, gambling, alcohol, or any other temptation in every place they play in.

I am saying that the accessibility, and legality of these things will make it more common.

the entire town consists of basically nothing but strip clubs, casinos, bars and hotels, in every other place they play, there might be 4 or 5 places like that within walking distance from eachother, theyre lined up for miles and miles and miles in vegas.

It is absolutely unique in that aspect.

And if English isn't your first language I apologize for the tone.

Edited August 11, 2015 by jimmyemeryhunter

[kipwinger 8,520]

Professionals will be professionals, whether they're in Vegas or not. They'll be fine. Conversely, the types of guys tempted by the combination of booze, money, and stardom won't. But that's true everywhere. Darren McCarty didn't need to be in Vegas to throw his career down the toilet. He did it right here in crummy old Detroit. And he had arguably the most player friendly organization in sports behind him. He screwed it up because he's a screw up and that's what screw ups do. I hardly think a determining factor in the league's expansion plans should be how the location will affect the playing careers of the various screw ups around the league.