Some interesting news on the NBA/Las Vegas arena front: Gary Loveman, CEO and president of Harrah’s Entertainment, is buying a 2.4 percent minority stake in the Boston Celtics according to a Sunday article in the Boston Globe.

David Stern, the league’s commissioner, initially rejected the purchase on account of Loveman’s affiliation with Harrah’s. According to Joel Litvin, president of league and basketball operations, Stern was following league policy that “no owner can also have an interest in a business that takes NBA bets.”

However, Loveman’s application was forwarded to the league’s Las Vegas Committee for review. The committee passed the application on condition that Harrah’s sportsbooks stop taking bets on Celtic games.

Continue reading "Harrah’s CEO’s stake in Boston Celtics – sign for possible arena and NBA franchise in Las Vegas?" »

Posted November 6, 2007 2:45 PM by Kevin Chomintra | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

If you enjoyed the Las Vegas Grand Prix back in April, I’m sorry to have to tell you that the event won’t be repeated next year. Champ Car World Series did not include Las Vegas in its 2008 schedule, which was released yesterday.

According to an article in the Review Journal, Phoenix-bassed DDB Ventures, which promoted the Vegas Grand Prix, cancelled a racing event that was to take place in Phoenix this December. The promotion company suffered undisclosed financial losses at the Las Vegas race.

Continue reading "Downtown loses Las Vegas Grand Prix for 2008" »

Posted November 6, 2007 9:48 AM by Kevin Chomintra | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Oh, it’s happening alright and it’s happening December 29 right here in Las Vegas at UFC 79.

UFC president Dana White made the official announcement last week: Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell and Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva will finally meet in the Octagon.

Liddell and Silva are widely considered two of the best fighters in the world and have been looking forward to fighting each other for years. And they’re not the only ones. Fans have been waiting with bated breath for this fight to materialize just as long as the fighters themselves.

At one time, each man was the undisputed 185-pound champion in their organizations, Liddell in UFC and Wanderlei in PRIDE. Although there were many cross-promotional appearances by both fighters, a deal couldn’t be reached between the rival organizations and the fight never materialized.

Continue reading "Liddell vs. Silva made official for UFC 79 in Las Vegas" »

Posted October 29, 2007 2:50 PM by Kevin Chomintra | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

I read an article in the Review Journal yesterday about the boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera this Saturday. I actually follow mixed martial arts much more closely than boxing, but a fighter is a fighter.

For the first time in my recollection, two fighters were respectful of each other at the pre-fight press conference. Not just respectful, but downright cordial.

I’ve never been a fan of all the pre-fight bravado that fighters tend to throw at each other. I understand that repeated incendiary comments can give one fighter a mental edge, but I always thought I’d rather just see a good show of sportsmanship.

Continue reading "Pacquiao, Barrera a little too calm before Las Vegas rematch" »

Posted October 5, 2007 9:52 AM by Kevin Chomintra | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Mixed martial arts fans will have a lot to watch on Wednesday and a lot to discuss nest to the water coolers on Thursday. This Wednesday night, the Spike Network will broadcast UFC Fight Night 11 followed by the debut of mixed martial arts reality show The Ultimate Fighter 6.

The main event for UFC Fight Night will feature lightweight fighters Kenny Florian and Din Thomas, both former competitors on The Ultimate Fighter.

Continue reading "UFC Fight Night 11 and The Ultimate Fighter 6 premiere Wednesday night" »

Posted September 17, 2007 3:50 PM by Kevin Chomintra | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Here comes the Diabetic Life Foundation’s 2nd Annual NHL Alumni and Celebrity All-Star Hockey Game.

The game start time is 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 31 at the Orleans Arena. Doors open at 12:30 p.m.

Go see the NHL Alumni and Celebrities take to the ice to “Beat Diabetes with a Stick.” You will see stars such as New York Rangers’ right wing Steve Larmer, goaltender Corey Hirsch, and Buffalo Sabres’ forward Tony McKegney. There are many other players that are scheduled to be there along with Las Vegas Thunder players, Chris McSorley, Pokey Reddick and many more. And for those of you who remember the movie Slap Shot with Paul Newman, you’ll get to see the Hanson Brothers.

If you’re not in to Hockey (poor you) there is also a golf game on Sunday at Desert Pines Golf Club with a tee time of 12:30 p.m.

Continue reading "Las Vegas Orleans Arena hosts NHL Alumni and Celebrity All-Star Hockey Game" »

Posted March 29, 2007 3:18 PM by Terry Piper | Permalink | Comments (0) | Email This

Danny Way, a pro skater out of San Diego, has successfully "bomb droppded" from the Fender Stratocaster sign in front of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. Danny dropped from over 82 feet onto a self-made ramp breaking the previous world record of a 12 foot, 3.6 inch drop. Danny dropped a total of 28 feet, landing on his board and riding out the first part of the ramp.

Bam Margera, star of the MTV show "Viva La Bam" and Sirius Satellite Radio host said, "The rollin on that is insane!"

Danny now holds two world records, but to him, it’s not about breaking records, it’s about pushing the limits of the sport.

So what's next? Danny thinks dropping 100 feet onto a 200 foot ramp is possible. We say go for it ... and do it in Vegas!

Danny Way is most famous for his leap across the Great Wall of China in July, 2005. He broke the world record for distance in that leap and solidified the popularity of the mega-ramp.

Watch Danny make history.

Posted April 7, 2006 2:51 PM by David Rosowsky | Permalink | Comments (1) | Email This