NRL to scale back Vegas
The NRL is unlikely to have four matches as part of its Las Vegas line-up next year. The unintended consequence of such a terrific schedule of matches was that most fans didn’t want to sit through four games of footy.
I spoke to fans all week who were debating when they’d arrive at the game. The atmosphere varied so much throughout the day and by the time the Panthers and Sharks played, there were many empty seats. Expect a three-match schedule next year.
Vegas tourists
The NRL made the most of being in such an iconic part of America last week. They even took Jamal Fogarty, Scott Sorensen, Billy Burns and Jackson Ford out to the Grand Canyon walk for a promotional opportunity.
Spotted
Panthers legend Greg Alexander dancing up a storm at the NRL Vegas launch on Fremont Street last Thursday night.
Wrong Cleary
Allegiant Stadium put up the wrong graphic when announcing Ivan Cleary as the Penrith coach on Saturday night. Nathan Cleary’s graphic appeared for a second time accidentally, before it was quickly swapped out for the right image.
English love Cleary
I lost count of the number of English rugby league fans who told me they absolutely loved the Panthers and especially Nathan Cleary.
“How does it feel to have the best player in the world,” one asked me.
Unlike in the NRL, there is no tall poppy syndrome when it comes to Penrith’s success. The English fans understand they’re witnessing a dynasty and are lapping it up.
Yes, it’s expensive
There is no question Las Vegas has gotten more and more expensive over the years and the exchange rate really hurt this time around. But I think some of the criticism of the cost of food and drink at the stadium was a little unfair. Drinks are huge and food portion sizes are pretty reasonable.
It’s the little things
A $1.9 billion venue like Allegiant Stadium is always going to have bells and whistles we’re not used to in Australia. I was impressed to see closed captioning at the venue – with live running text of ground announcements, including try scorers and the like. It’s a simple but important addition to the experience, especially for the hearing impaired.
Spotted
UFC star Bam Bam Tuivasa showing his Panther pride in the corporate area at Allegiant Stadium last weekend.
Unexpected publicity
The NRL got some unexpected publicity when Weekender Editor Troy Dodds appeared on the Sore Losers sports podcast, which comes out of Nashville. It was a good bit of PR for the NRL and the Panthers. The podcast has a huge audience, part of the nationally syndicated ‘Bobby Bones Show’. Podcast hosts Lunchbox and Ray were more than happy to hear about the NRL’s Vegas venture.
Not the best look
Which former NRL star who now plays for an English team was spotted smoking while walking through a casino the night before his team’s big game in Vegas? It wasn’t the greatest look, especially given how late it was.
Local views mixed
I spoke to a few Americans during the lead-up to the game, some of whom had absolutely no idea the NRL was coming to Vegas and others who were more than happy to hear about this football code with no pads and no helmets. We even convinced Las Vegas local Rob to buy a ticket.
Spotted
ARLC Commissioner Kate Jones burning up the dance floor at New York New York on Saturday night.
To’o popular
There is no question Nathan Cleary was the player every rugby league fan wanted to see at the Fan Fest last week. But Brian To’o was right up there. He was absolutely mobbed as he made his way down the red carpet.
Masked Panther
The Masked Panther is the most mysterious journalist of all. He has the inside word on everything happening in rugby league.