Page 63 - Las Vegas Golf & Leisure SPRING 2018

Photo by L.E. Baskow/Lights FC
Photo courtesy of Las Vegas Lights

MINOR LEAGUES, MAJOR IMPACT

or 35 seasons (1983-2017), the Las like Strip performers booked for short “We occupy a very unique niche in Las Ve-
Vegas 51s baseball organization has headliner stints in area showrooms. gas as the family affordable option for sports
Fdone what other professional Vegas fans in the summer months,” Johnson says.
sports teams like the Quicksilvers, Thunder, But times, they appear to be changing “The success of the Vegas Golden Knights
Wranglers, Posse, Gladiators, Dustdevils, and that is just fine and dandy with the 51s’ has really helped transform Las Vegas into a
Coyotes, Flash, Rattlers, Silvers, Showbiz, brain trust, led by president and COO Don better sports town. The sports landscape is
Sting, Outlaws and so many others couldn’t Logan and general manager Chuck John- incredible with our special events, like the
do: survive and thrive. son. In just a couple years, the professional Las Vegas Bowl, Las Vegas Motor Speedway,
sports landscape has grown by four teams National Finals Rodeo, Professional Bull
A Wikipedia page dedicated to the history and each appears headed for success. Even Riders, and now we have the National Hockey
of professional sports teams in Las Vegas lists with the growth, Johnson says the 51s’ League, the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces, Las
31 different franchises that have failed. Sports community standing and business model Vegas Lights soccer plus the Raiders, and the
teams seemingly come and go in Las Vegas are solid. NFL is on the horizon.”

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