Motown out, ESPN may be in at LV casino

Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2000 | 11:12 a.m.

After three years, Motown is out at the New York-New York.

The Las Vegas Motown Cafe, which drew a slew of celebrities at its 1997 opening, was closed this weekend by Sig Rogich, general partner in a group of investors that owned the property.

About 150 people worked at the restaurant at one time, Rogich said, though those numbers had declined to less than 100 by the time of its Sunday close.

Rogich confirmed the property's closing, but declined to discuss the matter further.

After the property closed, New York-New York owner MGM MIRAGE -- a partner in the Motown Cafe -- bought out the remaining investors, said New York-New York spokesman Dan Bradley. However, the company has no intention of reopening the property, which has struggled in recent months.

"There will probably be a formal announcement forthcoming" on future plans for the 28,000 square feet of space occupied by the Motown Cafe, Bradley said.

The Motown Cafe, a 700-seat restaurant that featured statues of Motown singers and large-screen TVs with Motown videos, opened its doors in January 1997. Opening night guests included such stars as Paula Abdul, Sinbad, Howie Mandell, Steve Guttenberg and David Hasselhoff.

But the property had struggled in recent years, leading to persistent rumors that it would soon close its doors.

Rumors are already circulating that another big name is being lined up for the New York-New York. Speculation is centering on Walt Disney Co., owner of the ESPN sports network. It is rumored Disney will soon announce the opening of an ESPN Zone in the space left by Motown Cafe.

ESPN Zone is a themed sports restaurant and entertainment venue. Disney currently operates ESPN Zones in New York, Baltimore, Chicago, Atlanta and Washington, D.C. A fifth is slated to open at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif., in early 2001.

Bradley said he had heard this rumor, but was unable to confirm or deny it. ESPN Zone officials could not be reached for comment.