The Sportsblahg is live and on location for all of your enjoyment from beautiful Las Vegas, Nevada, home of the Mountain West Conference championships. Through contacts of mine that are big time, I’ve been able to enjoy much of the basketball (both men’s and women’s) here in Las Vegas over the last week, and I’ve got to tell you, it’s been amazing.
Sure it’s not the Big East/ACC or Big 12 Tournament (I’ve been to two of those), but it’s March Madness and let me tell you that translate to any piece of the Division I basketball universe. In watching this tourney unfold I have come to a stark realization: The NCAA Final Four needs to start including Las Vegas as a host city.
Now I’m sure that plenty of people threw their arms up in protest against that last statement, but you know what, I don’t care. Las Vegas is a lot of things, but first and foremost it is a fantastic host city, for many reasons, of which I will outline:
1. Weather: While most of the Northeast is getting BLASTED with snow and the south is getting hit by tornadoes, here is Las Vegas the weather is 70 degrees and mostly sunny. By all means of evaluation, that is perfect weather (or at least as perfect as you can get). What better reason do you need to go cover or watch college basketball?
2. Easy Access Location: Given the fact that it is not on a coast, nor is it Chicago, McCarren International airport has A LOT of flights in and out of it. Most airports I know of fly to Las Vegas (at least once a day) direct, yes even NYC. Not to mention that you’re a few hour drive away from the 2nd largest media market in the country (and amazingly, even LAX flies to LAS).
3. Plethora of Hotels: I could have also used other SAT words including: deluge, superfluity surfeit, but I digress. The bottom line is, Las Vegas has A TON of hotels with which to house everyone from players/coaches to the media folks and celebrities that frequent these events. Not to mention, you’ll probably have MORE big wigs coming since they can go somewhere cool, instead of San Antonio (*The Sportsblahg does not have a problem with the city of San Antonio, we are just trying to make the case that it is not as fun as Las Vegas).
I know what you’re thinking already….
This is my response:
Yes, gambling and March Madness are synonymous it seems, and exposing youth to the word of Las Vegas could be seen as in poor judgment but good gracious people let’s just embrace the gambling as a part of our culture! Millions (if not billions) of dollars are waged on the tournament, so why not thank the gamblers by providing them a show up close and personal! I think it would be a fantastic opportunity and a perfect time given that the NBA was here last year for the All-Star game (a very successful one at that).
More to come from my time here in Las Vegas, including my take on the Mountain West Conference and the peculiarities of basketball in Las Vegas. But first, let me say it, because I always love to: LET THE MADNESS BEGIN!!!
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