EJ Hradek: You can bet NHL will expand to Sin City

[Acer]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=hradek_ej&id=2799861

The NHL will eventually expand to Las Vegas

Fact. Within the next five years, the league will expand to two new cities, and you can bet Las Vegas will be one of them. Hollywood mogul Jerry Bruckheimer, a big-time hockey fan, is part of a group that wants to land a team in Vegas. To do so, it will have to build a suitable arena and convince local officials to agree to take the team's games off the gambling board. The group should be successful on both fronts. The addition of Vegas and another preferably Western big-market city (Seattle?) will allow the league to realign geographically. Like it or not, get ready for the "Original 32."

I'm not buying into this. What's your take on this story? Is Hradek a credible journalist?

I do believe that at least one major US sport league will have a team in Las Vegas in the next 3-5 years either by relocation or expansion. Despite these problems: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_in_Las_Vegas (The professional sports league problem)

Can you imagine that Las Vegas is a hockey market? I have my doubts.

[sveiglar]

Not only should they do it, they should do it quickly. The NBA wants in there badly, and better to break into the market first than second.

This will happen, I'm convinced of it. And I don't think it's a terrible thing either. All the pro leagues are ridiculously hypocritical about gambling and sports books. In how many pro cities can you place wagers with someone? My guess is practically every one of them. So why would Vegas be different?

Perception of Vegas is changing. Its image has become much softer in recent years, through no small work of Goodman and his crew. This is a virtual lock, IMO.

[Johnny Elbows]

I don't know shit about gambling and the legalities involved, but what about proline? and how is it any different than straight up gambling if at all?

[Rico_Persson]

Tony Hrkac > EJ Hradek

[Acer]

Las Vegas is a true 24/7 city with lot's of entertainment options across town and ca.40% of the population works in 24-hour industries. This will place Las Vagas among the small market teams, also because of the lack of population beyond city limits.

Of course Las Vegas is a fast growing city and that's what makes the city so attractive for potential team owners.

[Rink Rage]

Las Vegas and Houston would be great additions. Bring on 32 teams!