On November twenty-second, 2016, Las Vegas was granted an NHL
franchise for next year over Quebec City. The NHL’s decision sparked both
controversy and excitement among the hockey community, but some fans are still
wondering “Is this worth the risk”?
This issue can be divided into two basic sections: the good
side of this decision and the bad side of this decision. Let’s start off with
the good side. Vegas is arguably one of the most recognizable cities in the United
States, and it’s quite appealing to most people. Despite the fact that Vegas
has not had a rich history with hockey, the enticing appeal of the city itself
could attract big name free agents to the team, if the team starts to be
successful. Another good thing is the healthy economy that is in Nevada, where
Vegas is located. According to a 2016 report from CNBC, Nevada’s unemployment
rate has been its lowest in eight years, and job growth is increasing. A
healthy economy could mean that more people in Nevada will be able to buy
tickets and merchandise which translates to profit for Vegas. This could also
benefit the NHL, as there is a huge potential for their newest team to make
money because of the healthy economy. The bottom line is; if Vegas makes money,
the NHL will be happy, and they will most definitely be successful.
Now let’s move on to the bad side. Vegas doesn’t have a long
hockey history unlike most NHL teams. This will mean that fans who are watching
hockey for the first time might not know what is happening. Not having a long
hockey history also means that Vegas lacks the pedigree of teams like Montreal,
Pittsburgh, Chicago, New York, and Toronto. Vegas also likes winners, which is
bad news for the new NHL team. As an expansion team, they will be made up of
low second to third line players. Vegas will struggle to produce wins. This
predicted struggle could mean less interest from fans and people in general.
Less interest means less fans in the seats, and less money in the bank. Failing
to produce wins also makes it a less likely decision for players to choose when
they become free agents.
In order for the “Vegas gamble” to work, Vegas must make
strides on and off the ice. On the ice, they need to make good draft decisions
to get the best players, and try to scrounge up as many wins as they can. The
front office must try to make Vegas appealing to players as a free agent
destination. Furthermore, Vegas must try and grow the game in Vegas and the
state of Nevada to those unfamiliar with hockey through initiatives like low
ticket prices and new hockey arenas.
Ultimately, if the NHL thinks that Vegas is a city worthy of
a team, then Vegas must be doing something right. However, only time will tell
if they are successful and they make profit to prove to the NHL that Vegas is
committed to being in the NHL for a long time.
