From a loss by the Aces to an update on Tom Brady’s plan to buy a piece of the Raiders, here’s everything that went down last week in Las Vegas sports (May 27 – June 2).
#5 Noah Gragson’s future uncertain after SHR announces shutdown
Stewart Haas Racing announced last week that they are shutting down operations after 25 seasons. Las Vegas native Noah Gragson is now one of four drivers out of a job due to the looming closure, which leaves his NASCAR career in the air. Gragson is also only one year removed from parting ways with Legacy Motorsports. SHR was supposed to be his second chance, but now he will be looking for a ride again.
“Gragson’s relationship with Bass Pro could help,” Bob Pockrass wrote on X when discussing Gragson’s future options in NASCAR. “Every week or two, I hear a possible different destination for Gragson depending on which rides could be open. I think he’ll remain in Cup but where I am not sure.”
#4 Las Vegas fall to second in the division
The Las Vegas Aces are now second in the Western conference after an 88-84 loss to the Atlanta Dream. This marks Las Vegas’ second loss of the 2024 season and is a stark reminder that they are not the same caliber team as last year.
A’ja Wilson led the charge with 28 points, three assists, and nine rebounds in the loss to the Dream. Kelsey Plum also contributed 19 points, six assists, and one, but that did little to help. Las Vegas also showed a lack of bench depth.
One example is Kate Martin, Who contributed two points, three assists, and three rebounds from the bench. Megan Gustafson only managed three points in eight minutes of play, while Kiah Stokes went scoreless during her time on the floor.
#3 Jonathon Marchessault waiting to hear from the Golden Knights about his future
While the Las Vegas Golden Knights have many free agents this offseason, they don’t have much money to work with. CapFriendly claims the Golden Knights have over $897,000 of space and $3,974,714 in deadline cap space to use in 2024. This isn’t good news for Marchessault, who is coming off a six-year, $5 million a year deal.
“We don’t have a call yet or anything,” Marchessault told reporters. “They said they were interested to sign me. They have time until June 30 or so.”
Marchessault joins Pavel Dorofeyey, Kaedan Korczak, and Chandler Stephenson on the free agency list for 2024.
#2 Update on Tom Brady’s minority stake with the Las Vegas Raiders
Tom Brady’s purchase of a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders is still awaiting the NFL’s approval. The 32 league owners had the chance to greenlight the deal in March but didn’t hold a vote. Despite the holdup, there is still a lot of hope.
“The next scheduled owners’ meeting is in October. Tom Brady’s deal for Raiders part-ownership potentially could be approved then by the owners,” Mark Maske of the Washington Post said on X. “There also is a chance, it appears, of a special owners’ meeting being scheduled this summer, perhaps for a vote on private equity.”
#1 Gardner Minshew ranked second-best backup quarterback in the NFL
Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell are set to face off for a chance to start for the Las Vegas Raiders. Las Vegas signed Minshew to a $25 million deal that had Raider Nation shaking its head. While Minshew probably isn’t anyone’s first choice, he is receiving some praise from the media. According to Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated, he’s the second-best backup in the league.
“Minshew saved the Colts’ season by stepping up after Anthony Richardson sustained a season-ending shoulder injury after four games A. It got rough at times,” Manzano posted on X, “but Minshew gave the Colts a fighting chance in most games. In his 13 starts, Minshew had 3,305 passing yards with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He’ll now compete with Aidan O’Connell for the starting job.”
