AngelsWin.com Today: It's Time for MLB to Expand to Las Vegas

[CubsFan]

10 hours ago, HeavenlyHalos said:

Portland is plain? Couldn't disagree more. It's a great and beautiful city with amazing beer and food. It continues to grow as the bay area residents look to move to a less expensive west coast city. I'm not sure if it would support an MLB team as the metro area is ~2.5 million people putting it 25th in the country, which is towards the bottom of metropolitan areas with an MLB franchise. Note: Vegas is 28th but obviously tourism increases the actual number or people there at any given time. The lowest with an MLB team is Milwaukee at 39.

I hope they one day get a team but fully recognize that i'm biased since I love Oregon and think highly of Portland. It's also known for it's pretty awesome strip clubs, so there's that.

It looks like it's a great place to raise a family or grow up but it's not high on my list of places I would go out of my way to visit.

 

[nando714]

Move Tampa to Vegas 

Move Cleveland to the AL East . They were in it from 1969 to 1994

move Houston to the AL Central - no real connection to the west 

move Vegas (Tampa) to AL West

problem solved regarding realignment. Easy travel and not switching a ton of time zones 

[Jeff Fletcher]

I’m all for a team in Vegas. Portland not so much. 

I disagree that travel is really a competitive disadvantage. There are new rules in CBA that make it easier for everyone. (In fact, that’s why tonight’s game starts 30 minutes earlier.)

For west coast teams, all their coast to coast, west to east flights (when you lose 3 hours) come with off days. The Angels usually fly a whole day ahead too. 

There may be 5 times a year when the Angels have a 3 hour flight after a night game for a game the next day while the Cubs have 2, or something like that. That’s not a huge competitive difference. 

They also travel pretty comfortably. There is no “rushing” anywhere. 

For me, on the other hand....

[T.G.]

I'm surprised Chuck hasn't offered Jeff the AW private jet for his travel. I mean, after all Jeff contributes here - it's the least Chuck could do.

[Dave Saltzer]

5 hours ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

I’m all for a team in Vegas. Portland not so much. 

I disagree that travel is really a competitive disadvantage. There are new rules in CBA that make it easier for everyone. (In fact, that’s why tonight’s game starts 30 minutes earlier.)

For west coast teams, all their coast to coast, west to east flights (when you lose 3 hours) come with off days. The Angels usually fly a whole day ahead too. 

There may be 5 times a year when the Angels have a 3 hour flight after a night game for a game the next day while the Cubs have 2, or something like that. That’s not a huge competitive difference. 

They also travel pretty comfortably. There is no “rushing” anywhere. 

For me, on the other hand....

Thanks for the feedback Jeff. I appreciate your insights.

 

How much have you heard about the desire to really do realignment from MLB Execs? Besides Portland, where else have you heard (if you've heard) being discussed as possible expansion sites?

 

On a similar and somewhat separate note, how much do you think we, as fans, should make of the decrease in attendance for many teams so far? As that more media/fan chatter, or is there more concern at the MLB level?

[T.G.]

The Las Vegas Black Sox... now that would be funny

[Dave Saltzer]

33 minutes ago, True Grich said:

The Las Vegas Black Sox... now that would be funny

Las Vegas High Rollers?

[Jeff Fletcher]

47 minutes ago, Dave Saltzer said:

Thanks for the feedback Jeff. I appreciate your insights.

 

How much have you heard about the desire to really do realignment from MLB Execs? Besides Portland, where else have you heard (if you've heard) being discussed as possible expansion sites?

 

On a similar and somewhat separate note, how much do you think we, as fans, should make of the decrease in attendance for many teams so far? As that more media/fan chatter, or is there more concern at the MLB level?

I haven't really heard anything about realignment. I think it would take a lot stuff to happen, because people on the west coast don't want to lose the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs coming for attendance purposes. 

I honestly think all of this is about No. 38 on the list of issues facing MLB.

As for the attendance, the weather has been pretty crappy in a lot of places. Haven't we had a record number of rainouts already?

[Angelsfan1984]

2 minutes ago, Jeff Fletcher said:

I haven't really heard anything about realignment. I think it would take a lot stuff to happen, because people on the west coast don't want to lose the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs coming for attendance purposes. 

I honestly think all of this is about No. 38 on the list of issues facing MLB.

As for the attendance, the weather has been pretty crappy in a lot of places. Haven't we had a record number of rainouts already?

Right on the nose. Unless this adds to the wallet of all of those involved I doubt we see any realignment soon.

[Angelsfan1984]

15 minutes ago, Dave Saltzer said:

Las Vegas High Rollers?

Pete Rose as the manager? He's already there signing autographs in the Caesars palace mall every weekend.

[Jeremiah]

For all of the success of the Golden Knights here in Vegas, much of that has been fueled by the honeymoon factor as well as the immediate quality of the team. A first-year NHL team has never done what they've done before. That's a huge deal. That said, we are also the NHL's second-smallest media market, ranking 40th nationally. The closest MLB market in size to Vegas is Milwaukee. Other cities in that range include KC, CIN, and SD. I certainly could be wrong, but I get the idea that a Vegas MLB team would suffer two issues: the small-market mentality which largely prevents teams from keeping the talent they develop and becoming perennial contenders, and the same issues as Tampa, where they have some trouble getting locals (30-plus thousand of them) to trek to wherever they decide to build the stadium for 81 home dates. We are also currently building a brand new facility for the local AAA team.

Fandom may also be an issue. I'm intrigued by the Knights, but I've only attended games where they are playing the Kings. Tampa has a similar issue with opposing fanbases. It's not a good look for the stadium to be filled with more fans of the away team. This may all be BS, but I think they'd have a hard time developing and maintaining a strong enough local fanbase.

[Dave Saltzer]

18 minutes ago, Jeremiah said:

For all of the success of the Golden Knights here in Vegas, much of that has been fueled by the honeymoon factor as well as the immediate quality of the team. A first-year NHL team has never done what they've done before. That's a huge deal. That said, we are also the NHL's second-smallest media market, ranking 40th nationally. The closest MLB market in size to Vegas is Milwaukee. Other cities in that range include KC, CIN, and SD. I certainly could be wrong, but I get the idea that a Vegas MLB team would suffer two issues: the small-market mentality which largely prevents teams from keeping the talent they develop and becoming perennial contenders, and the same issues as Tampa, where they have some trouble getting locals (30-plus thousand of them) to trek to wherever they decide to build the stadium for 81 home dates. We are also currently building a brand new facility for the local AAA team.

Fandom may also be an issue. I'm intrigued by the Knights, but I've only attended games where they are playing the Kings. Tampa has a similar issue with opposing fanbases. It's not a good look for the stadium to be filled with more fans of the away team. This may all be BS, but I think they'd have a hard time developing and maintaining a strong enough local fanbase.

I understand what you are saying, but I do think that the out of town fans would give any team in Las Vegas a very strong draw most nights. And, if I'm an owner looking to make money, I'm fairly certain that it would be rather profitable--enough to afford their best players long-term. Whether they actually would or would not do so, is a different story. But, when looking for a market to expand/relocate a team, all of them start getting rather small, making it a difficult proposition. It's better to get a location that would have the chance at a decent draw than where it would not. I just don't see Portland, based on its history with minor league baseball, being that likely to support a team.

[Tank]

17 hours ago, Lou said:

I wasn't finished. While I haven't hammered out all of the details, I will share the prototype I've developed   

 

i'm down for that.

let's make this happen!

[nando714]

1 hour ago, Dave Saltzer said:

Thanks for the feedback Jeff. I appreciate your insights.

 

How much have you heard about the desire to really do realignment from MLB Execs? Besides Portland, where else have you heard (if you've heard) being discussed as possible expansion sites?

 

On a similar and somewhat separate note, how much do you think we, as fans, should make of the decrease in attendance for many teams so far? As that more media/fan chatter, or is there more concern at the MLB level?

As for attendance - there are 7 teams on pace for 100 losses. What is that? 20%? of the league will probably be out of the playoff hunt now or next month 

[stormngt]

1 hour ago, Jeremiah said:

For all of the success of the Golden Knights here in Vegas, much of that has been fueled by the honeymoon factor as well as the immediate quality of the team. A first-year NHL team has never done what they've done before. That's a huge deal. That said, we are also the NHL's second-smallest media market, ranking 40th nationally. The closest MLB market in size to Vegas is Milwaukee. Other cities in that range include KC, CIN, and SD. I certainly could be wrong, but I get the idea that a Vegas MLB team would suffer two issues: the small-market mentality which largely prevents teams from keeping the talent they develop and becoming perennial contenders, and the same issues as Tampa, where they have some trouble getting locals (30-plus thousand of them) to trek to wherever they decide to build the stadium for 81 home dates. We are also currently building a brand new facility for the local AAA team.

Fandom may also be an issue. I'm intrigued by the Knights, but I've only attended games where they are playing the Kings. Tampa has a similar issue with opposing fanbases. It's not a good look for the stadium to be filled with more fans of the away team. This may all be BS, but I think they'd have a hard time developing and maintaining a strong enough local fanbase.

1977-1981 UNLV Runnin Rebels Beg to Differ!

Put a quality product on the field and Vegas fans are as passionate as any in the country!

The Golden Knights are not an anomaly 

[Dtwncbad]

The biggest argument against expansion to Las Vegas is La Vegas sucks.  It's gross.  It's too hot in the summer. It would be reliant on tourists going to games, and it is doubtful tourists are going to a mlb baseball game on their visit to Las Vegas that is likely rooted in gambling, drinking and getting wild.  A 3.5 hour out-of-town baseball game (with your team probably not playing) is not going to draw viaitora away from casinos, shows, hotel pools with eye candy, golf, etc.

MLB in Las Vegas is just not going to work.

 

[Angel Oracle]

28 minutes ago, stormngt said:

1977-1981 AND 1983-1991 UNLV Runnin Rebels Beg to Differ!

Put a quality product on the field and Vegas fans are as passionate as any in the country!

The Golden Knights are not an anomaly 

Both of those Tark UNLV eras brought out the fans.  

The 1977-1981 success eventually ushered in 18,176 seat Thomas and Mack Center in 1984, which usually was just about totally filled through 1991.

[stormngt]

33 minutes ago, Dtwncbad said:

The biggest argument against expansion to Las Vegas is La Vegas sucks.  It's gross.  It's too hot in the summer. It would be reliant on tourists going to games, and it is doubtful tourists are going to a mlb baseball game on their visit to Las Vegas that is likely rooted in gambling, drinking and getting wild.  A 3.5 hour out-of-town baseball game (with your team probably not playing) is not going to draw viaitora away from casinos, shows, hotel pools with eye candy, golf, etc.

MLB in Las Vegas is just not going to work.

 

Bet you never been to Vegas?  Of if you did you never left the casino.  

[stormngt]

27 minutes ago, Angel Oracle said:

Both of those Tark UNLV eras brought out the fans.  

The 1977-1981 success eventually ushered in 18,176 seat Thomas and Mack Center in 1984, which usually was just about totally filled through 1991.

They brought a lot more in there than 18,176 during the late 80s

[Dtwncbad]

5 minutes ago, stormngt said:

Bet you never been to Vegas?  Of if you did you never left the casino.  

At least 50 times.  At least.  Travel.there for work.  Had some family living there and have gone plenty with friends for fun.

Las Vegas is 90% disgusting and 10% passable.

[stormngt]

5 minutes ago, Dtwncbad said:

At least 50 times.  At least.  Travel.there for work.  Had some family living there and have gone plenty with friends for fun.

Las Vegas is 90% disgusting and 10% passable.

Like I said must have stayed in the casino.

[Dtwncbad]

1 minute ago, stormngt said:

Like I said must have stayed in the casino.

Let me clarify.  Of my more than 50 trios to Las Vegas, I would say at least 20 of those trips I did not even enter a casino.

Can you tell me about a few good places to go?  I'm sure you can.  But my statement was about Las Vegas.

Las Vegas, on the whole, is gross.

[stormngt]

Just now, Dtwncbad said:

Let me clarify.  Of my more than 50 trios to Las Vegas, I would say at least 20 of those trips I did not even enter a casino.

Can you tell me about a few good places to go?  I'm sure you can.  But my statement was about Las Vegas.

Las Vegas, on the whole, is gross.

That's why your description of Las Vegas is right out of a Hollywood sterotype.

90% disgusting....sure

[Dtwncbad]

25 minutes ago, stormngt said:

That's why your description of Las Vegas is right out of a Hollywood sterotype.

90% disgusting....sure

Actually I would say most the time Hollywood glamorizes La Vegas showing it as classy and glitzy and galmorous, ignoring what is blatantly ugly.

[Jeff Fletcher]

I love Las Vegas.

But I don't want to go to a baseball game there.