Mainstream professional sports make their TV comeback this weekend, starting with UFC 249. This massive fight card is the first in a series of three UFC events scheduled over seven days. The Mixed Martial Arts league is gearing up to bring live sports in a novel format, featuring no spectators and a reduced on-site crew.
Although UFC is the first league to resume action, it certainly won’t be the last. The Bundesliga in Germany is gearing up to host its first soccer match this weekend since halting play to help curb the spread of coronavirus.
NASCAR is set to resume on the track on May 17. In addition, a few singular golf games are anticipated before the PGA kicks off its season on June 11. The NFL has also recently announced its complete 2020 regular-season timetable. Meanwhile, other professional US sports leagues are brainstorming strategies on how to start or conclude their seasons.
The New York Times reports that the NBA is contemplating a proposal to conclude its season in Las Vegas, following the halt of professional sports due to Rudy Gobert’s COVID-19 diagnosis. The game that was supposed to take place between the Utah Jazz and Oklahoma City Thunder was cancelled.
NBA and Las Vegas are perfect together
In July 2018, MGM Resorts International established itself as the inaugural gaming partner of the NBA. Before this gambling agreement, MGM Resorts had already collaborated with the basketball league by sponsoring the NBA Summer League.
The connection between the companies is so close that a G League showcase was even hosted by MGM Resorts last year. It’s worth noting MGM Resort is also the owner of a WNBA team, the Las Vegas Aces, who play their home games on the Vegas Strip at Mandalay Bay.
It is not surprising that MGM Resorts contacted one of its key sports partners to explore collaborative efforts as both firms aim to resume business.
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. Meanwhile, the NBA still has the rest of the regular season games and the playoffs to complete.
The idea of establishing a “bubble city” is being widely discussed as professional sports leagues plan to restart their games. The UFC is already running its fight cards in a downsized bubble setting, proving that an entire city isn’t required.
A “bubble city” concept would restrict access to only tested players, their families, and workers within a confined area. While Las Vegas has been considered as a possible location, the “MGM Plan” might 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 once again. He also noted that the company is interested in hosting sports events without spectators.
The New York Times elucidated the so-called MGM Plan a day later. According to the Times, MGM Resorts proposed this concept to NBA, WNBA, NHL, and MLS. The proposal outlines how MGM Resorts would accommodate athletes and support staff in a quarantined section of the Vegas Strip.
All casino-resorts located north of Tropicana Avenue on the Vegas Strip are run by MGM Resorts. If required, Excalibur, Luxor, and Mandalay Bay could be included in the plan. The NBA’s version of the plan would permit players’ families, league staff, broadcast media, support staff, and necessary vendors to accompany the players. MGM Resorts would provide everyone with access to lounges, spas, restaurants, and potentially even gambling facilities.
The NBA plan mentions only Mandalay Bay and Luxor as participating hotels.
Mandalay Bay would be the center of the action
This proposal would place Mandalay Bay at the heart of all activity. The colossal property boasts three hotels – Mandalay Bay, Four Seasons, and Delano, offering over 4,700 rooms.
The property also houses the Mandalay Bay Events Center, the home ground for the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces. According to The Times, the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, owned by MGM Resorts, has the potential to accommodate up to 24 basketball courts for games and practice sessions.
While the athletes engage in games, their families can take pleasure in various amenities such as the 11-acre Mandalay Bay Beach, spa, restaurants, and more.
While enjoying Mandalay Bay, the NBA and its broadcast partners are in the company of MGM Resorts’ quarantined staff who are residing at the connected Luxor.
NBA betting bonanza
This idea could be akin to the NBA Summer League, where games are played all day and night. Despite the absence of spectators, the league might consider segmenting the games into sessions for its broadcast partners. This approach would facilitate straightforward TV programming.
The conclusion of the NBA regular season may offer as many games as the initial two days of the NCAA basketball tournament. Las Vegas sportsbooks experience one of their busiest periods during the first weekend of March Madness.
Although sportsbooks may not see the return of large crowds, NBA enthusiasts and bettors can view and bet on games using their preferred mobile betting apps. By the time NBA restarts its season, it’s expected that most, if not all, Nevada sports betting apps will be back in operation.
