Las Vegas’ push to enter the ranks of big-time pro sports cities got fresh boost with the news that MGM Resorts International has bought the WNBA’s San Antonio Stars and is moving the team to the Strip.
The purchase, which has been unanimously approved by the WNBA and the NBA, will see the Stars play their first home game of the season commencing next June at MGM’s 12,000-seat Mandalay Bay Events Center.
Former Detroit Pistons great Bill Laimbeer has been named head coach and president of basketball operations.
“We are thrilled to bring the first major professional basketball team to Las Vegas,” said WNBA President Lisa Borders. “This city and MGM Resorts are synonymous with world-class entertainment. With its culture of diversity and inclusion, MGM Resorts is an ideal fit for the WNBA.”
Lillian Tomovich, who holds the title of chief experience and marketing officer for the gaming giant, agreed, calling it “a great alignment with the DNA of our company”.
“We appreciate, now more than ever, the league’s confidence in Las Vegas and believe the team will be a tremendous addition to the city,” she said.
The Stars will become the second professional team to call Las Vegas home. Earlier this month, the National Hockey League’s expansion Las Vegas Golden Knights opened their season on the Strip at the T-Mobile Arena, which is co-owned by MGM. While just to the west construction is slated to begin the end of this year or early in 2018 on a 65,000-seat domed stadium for the National Football League Oakland Raiders to begin their 2020 season as the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Stars are the second WNBA franchise owned by a casino operator. The Mohegan Indian tribe, owners of Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun casino hotel, own the league’s Connecticut Sun, who play at the Mohegan Sun Arena adjoining the resort.
