The Las Vegas Raiders want to become the greatest show on turf, things get worse for Jimmy Garoppolo, and Noah Gragson talks about what saved his career. Let’s talk last week in Las Vegas sports (Feb 2-18).
#5 Jimmy Garoppolo gets two-game suspension for use of PEDs
Las Vegas Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolois is suspended for two games after violating the league policy on performance-enhancing substances last week. The news comes on the heels of sources claiming that the Raiders plan to cut him in a month to avoid paying $11.25 million.
This brings an end to the Jimmy Garoppolo era and pretty much guarantees a new QB under center next season. The two-game suspension is also going to lower Garoppolo’s market value in free agency, as will his performance last season.
According to sources that spoke with ESPN, “the Raiders are expected to release Garoppolo before the fifth day of the new league year in mid-March when he would earn an $11.25 million roster bonus. Garoppolo also has an $11.25 million base salary guarantee for the 2024 season that now could be voided because of the suspension.”
#4 Noah Gragson discusses getting complacent with his NASCAR career
Las Vegas native Noah Gragson has a lot to prove in 2024. He is now returning to NASCAR after getting suspended for liking a racially insensitive tweet. He recently spoke with the media and revealed that he fell out of love with the sport for a time, but he’s grateful to be back at NASCAR’s highest level.
“Yeah, the drivers get all the credit,” Gragson said during the interview with Motorsports. “But I put a lot of pressure on myself at the end of the day to be successful. It’s a privilege to be able to go out here and race, and I’ve regained my love for this sport, where I might have lost appreciation over the past handful of years than what I had as a kid. I’ve re-found that love for it, and I’m just grateful to be back and get to work.”
#3 Las Vegas Golden Knights fall to the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1
The Las Vegas Golden Knights are reeling after a 3-1 lopsided loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night. Jonathan Marchessault scored the lone goal for Las Vegas in the first period, and things pretty much went downhill from there. The Hurricanes then held the Golden Knights scoreless for two quarters while knocking in three goals of their own.
Adin Hill served as goalie and let three goals past him before time expired. He did fend off 25 shots, but the Hurricanes’ offense made things difficult. Hill is also still dealing with an upper-body injury that has left him out of action for about a month.
Las Vegas currently sits second in the Pacific division with a record of 31-17-6. They also have 68 points scored, which could go a long way in helping them qualify for the playoffs.
More: Ranking every Las Vegas sports team by attendance record
#2 NBA commissioner addresses desire for an NBA team in Las Vegas
Las Vegas sports fans want to know when the next team is arriving, and it could be soon! NBA commissioner Adam Silver has announced that Las Vegas will likely get an expansion team sometime soon.
This is a big step for Las Vegas and the last piece to complete the sports landscape. It also brings up the possibility of Lebron James either being a player or a franchise owner for the team.
“We have one more year left on our television deals in the U.S. after this year,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said Wednesday on The Pat McAfee Show, “and so we want to figure out what our media relationships are going to look like and then we will turn to expansion. Vegas is definitely on our list.”
The city is already home to the Raiders, Golden Knights, and the Aces. There is also the Athletics, who are hoping to come to Las Vegas by 2028.
#1 Antonio Pierce wants to make the Raiders the best show on earth
Antonio Pierce is head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders and has a chance to create real change this time! Pierce can now build his vision and wants to bring some entertainment value back to the turf.
“I think the most unique part would be doing it in the sports mecca of the world now,” Pierce told reporters when asked about bringing prestige back to the Raiders. “I told our guys, ‘We need to become the greatest show that everybody wants to come to Vegas and watch.’”
Maybe they will make a major move in free agency to nab a big name that can change the franchise. They can also add a running back and create a more powerful running game. The sky is the limit, and Pierce promising a good show is exciting.
Next: 5 ways the Super Bowl made history in Las Vegas
