MGM nixes hockey deal

Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2000 | 10:29 a.m.

Give the MGM Grand a two-minute penalty for spreading false hope among Las Vegas hockey fans.

The Las Vegas mega-resort Monday issued a statement that said it no longer is interested in hosting an International Hockey League franchise for the 2000-01 season.

"Like all sporting and entertainment opportunities that MGM Grand reviews on an annual basis, discussions have taken place with the IHL," read a statement that was released by the MGM Grand media relations department. "However, at this time, MGM Grand has decided not to pursue a partnership with IHL hockey in the Grand Garden Arena, based on the tremendous sports, entertainment and convention schedule we have lined up for the year 2000 and beyond."

Schott Ghertner of the MGM marketing department said there would be no further comment from resort officials regarding the IHL negotiations.

There is speculation that committing the arena to a hockey team for 40 regular season dates plus potential playoff games might have quashed the deal.

"We have some tremendous events (planned) for the fall ... so that's probably a fair assessment," Ghertner said.

IHL officials were traveling today from the league's all-star game in Houston Monday night to league headquarters in Michigan and could not be reached for comment.

The MGM was thought to be the best bet for the IHL returning to Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Thunder ceased day-to-day operations at the end of the 1998-99 season, citing its cost-prohibitive lease at the Thomas & Mack Center which contributed heavily to the team's annual operating debt of more than $1 million.

The Thunder, with a core following of about 5,000 fans, was a marginal box office success during its six seasons in Las Vegas. Its ownership team of Hank and Ken Stickney and Mandalay Sports still has the rights to a Las Vegas IHL franchise.