The Las Vegas Aces make history again, the Raiders unveil a pricy new party, and the NBA could be coming to Las Vegas. All this and more last week in Las Vegas sports (June 17 – 23).
#6 Aidan O’Connell labeled favorite in training camp by NFL insider
The battle is on for the Las Vegas Raiders’ starting quarterback job, and it’s going to get interesting. This battle sees Aidan O’Connell competing against Gardner Minshew for the role. Unfortunately, early reports indicate that neither impressed anyone in training camp.
Both Quarterbacks missed throws, struggled against the defense, and lacked confidence. The story has Raider Nation worried about the team’s prospects, but one insider sees things differently. He even believes he knows who the starter will be.
“O’Connell and Minshew in the spring went tit for tat; went after it,” Jeremy Fowler said on ESPN. “O’Connell probably has the slight edge right now based on coming into Year 2, being more vocal… I’m told he’s acting like a starting quarterback and Davante Adams loves him, which always helps certainly with the brownie points.”
#5 Las Vegas Aces topple Connecticut Suns
The Las Vegas Aces improved to 6-5 last week after an 85-74 win over the top-ranked Connecticut Suns. A’ja Wilson rallied the Aces with 26 points, one assist, and 16 rebounds. Kelsey Plum also contributed 18 points, four assists, and one rebound in the victory. Las Vegas’ best work came in the first half, where the team outscored the Suns 45-26. This means they didn’t suffer their usual second-quarter flop and stayed competitive.
#4 Noah Gragson still looking for a NASCAR Cup series ride
Las Vegas native Noah Gragson is still searching for a ride, and his latest comments don’t sound promising. Gragson is leaving Stewart Haas Racing after the team announced they would shut down in 2025. This leaves Gragson looking for his fourth new ride in just as many years.
“I haven’t signed anything yet, so just trying to weigh out all the options accordingly and, you know, have those conversations but still looking for an opportunity,” Gragson said. “I just keep telling myself to focus on what I can control.”
Despite not having a ride yet, Gragson is steadily improving at the Cup level. He currently has zero wins, one top–five, five top-ten, and two DNFs. Gragson sits 24 in the standings and has nothing to lose now that his ride is gone.
#3 Red Bull might bring an NBA expansion team to Las Vegas
Red Bull has done some wild things and now hopes to pull off another notable milestone. This time, the energy drink giant wants to bring an NBA expansion team to Las Vegas for the first time in history.
According to Bloomberg, there have been internal discussions about the possibility of Red Bull purchasing an expansion team and coming to Las Vegas. The company already owns several soccer teams and a Formula One team. However, they will still have to compete with a flurry of others looking to bring a team to Las Vegas.
This includes Lebron James, who has repeatedly expressed interest in bringing a team to Las Vegas.
More Worst moments of the Las Vegas Aces 2024 season so far
#2 Las Vegas Raiders introduce new tailgate trailers for fans
While the Las Vegas Raiders are struggling to produce on the field, they seem hell-bent on bringing the party. Last week, the team announced new tailgate party trailers for home games at Allegiant Stadium. Sounds exciting, but be warned—they’re not cheap.
“Four mobile, two-story, climate-controlled party trailers will be added to Lot B of Allegiant Stadium: for all Raiders home games and select other large events at the $2 billion facility,” The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.
“Each space will feature all-inclusive food and beverages, games, such as ring toss and cornhole, a 55-inch 4K HDTV for fans to watch the early slate of games, a 208-square-foot top deck, a Bluetooth soundbar and a retractable awning to provide shade.”
The cost? $20,000. Panos Pappas, Raiders vice president of premium sales and services, defended the decision in a recent interview.
“People spend that kind of money on one bottle of tequila on the Strip on a Saturday night,” Pappas said. “Is it expensive? Sure it is. But there’s a premium that comes with it. You’re getting the full experience with it. Is it for everybody? It could be. You get all your friends together, and you all chip in when you get there.”
#1 Las Vegas Aces become the first team to sell out of home game tickets
The 2024 season has been a mixed bag for the Las Vegas Aces, but they got a bit of good news last week. They became the first WNBA team in history to sell out tickets for home games for the rest of the season. They already sold out of season tickets earlier this year and had to move a few of their games to new venues to accommodate demand.
“I do think that the growth is just the beginning,” Aces Chief Operating and Chief Financial Officer Matt Delsen said Friday. “And I think that, you know, the viewership can and is going to continue to grow because these athletes are the best in the world at what they do.”
Next: Ranking every Las Vegas sports coach from worst to best
