
UFC 249 marks the return of mainstream professional sports on TV this weekend. This large fight card is the first of three UFC events scheduled in the next seven days. The Mixed Martial Arts league is adapting to a new way of showcasing live sports, with no live audience and a restricted number of staff on site.
Although UFC is the first league to resume action, it won’t be the last. The German Bundesliga is preparing to hold its first soccer match this weekend since the league paused to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
NASCAR is set to hit the track again on May 17. There will also be a few individual golf matches before the PGA season starts on June 11. The NFL has recently unveiled its complete regular-season schedule for 2020. Meanwhile, other professional sports leagues in the US are brainstorming ways to either commence or conclude their seasons.
The diagnosis of Rudy Gobert with COVID-19 led to the cessation of professional sports, with the game between Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder being cancelled. The New York Times reports that there is now a proposal under consideration by the NBA to conclude its season in Las Vegas.
NBA and Las Vegas are perfect together
In July 2018, MGM Resorts International became the NBA’s first gaming partner. Before this gambling agreement, MGM Resorts had already collaborated with the basketball league as a partner for the NBA Summer League.
The companies are closely connected, to the point where MGM Resorts hosted a G League showcase the previous year. Remember, MGM Resort owns the Las Vegas Aces, a WNBA team, who play their home games at Mandalay Bay on the Vegas Strip.
It’s not surprising that MGM Resorts approached one of its main sports partners to explore collaborative efforts as both companies aim to resume business operations.
MGM Resorts, which runs over 10 properties in Las Vegas, will only reopen Bellagio and New York-New York when Nevada casinos are permitted to resume operations. The NBA still has the rest of the regular season games to play, in addition to the playoffs.
The idea of establishing a “bubble city” is often discussed as professional sports leagues aim to restart games. The UFC is managing its fight cards within a smaller bubble, demonstrating that an entire city isn’t required.
The concept of a “bubble city” would permit only tested players, families, and workers within a confined area. Although Las Vegas has been considered as a possible location, the “MGM Plan” seems to be the most feasible.
The MGM plan
On MGM Resorts’ first-quarter earnings call on Thursday, April 30, acting CEO Bill Hornbuckle expressed the company’s eagerness to host live sports events once again in the future. Additionally, he stated that the company would be interested in hosting sporting events without an audience.
The New York Times, a day later, offered some insight into what is sometimes referred to as the MGM Plan. The paper reported that this concept had been proposed by MGM Resorts to the NBA, WNBA, NHL, and MLS. According to the proposal, MGM Resorts would provide accommodation for the athletes and the support staff in a quarantined section on the Vegas Strip.
All of the casino-resorts on the Vegas Strip north of Tropicana Avenue are operated by MGM Resorts. If needed, this plan could incorporate Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay. The NBA scheme would permit players, their families, league staff, broadcast media, support staff, and necessary vendors to come together. MGM Resorts would provide access to lounges, spas, restaurants, and potentially even gambling for everyone involved.
The NBA plan mentions only Mandalay Bay and Luxor as participating hotels.
Mandalay Bay would be the center of the action
In this proposal, Mandalay Bay would serve as the hub of activity. This extensive property comprises three hotels (Mandalay Bay, Four Seasons, and Delano), offering over 4,700 rooms.
The property also houses the Mandalay Bay Events Center, currently the home of the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces. As per The Times, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, under MGM Resorts, could accommodate up to 24 basketball courts. These courts could serve as venues for both games and practice.
While the athletes engage in their games, their families can take pleasure in various attractions such as the 11-acre Mandalay Bay Beach, spa, restaurants, and more.
While the NBA and its broadcast partners enjoy Mandalay Bay, the quarantined staff of MGM Resorts will reside at Luxor, which is connected to Mandalay Bay.
NBA betting bonanza
This idea might resemble the NBA Summer League, which hosts games throughout the day and night. Despite the absence of ticket holders, the league may still want to split the games into sessions for their broadcast partners, facilitating more straightforward TV scheduling.
The NBA regular season’s conclusion could offer as many games as the initial two days of the NCAA basketball tournament. The first weekend of March Madness is among the most bustling periods for Las Vegas sportsbooks.
Though there may not be a mass return of crowds to sportsbooks, NBA enthusiasts and bettors could still view and place bets on the games through their preferred mobile wagering applications. By the time the NBA season picks up again, it is expected that almost all, if not all, Nevada-based sports betting apps will be back in operation.