Photo by Christopher Alvarenga, Unsplash
Aces Could Bring First Major Sports Title to Sin City
The Las Vegas Aces are just one series away from winning their first WNBA championship title. Remember, this organization is just a few years old yet for nearly half of its short history, the Aces have been a viable title contender. However, this is the year that they make their WNBA Finals debut, and they are considered by many to be the favorite. The Vegas Aces opportunity to win a championship is a substantial accomplishment for this young franchise. This will be the first Las Vegas team – of the newly added professional major sports – to bring a championship trophy to the city.
It was not too long ago that the powers-that-be in the US’s five major sports provided every excuse imaginable for why Las Vegas could not possess their own professional sports teams. As the city continued to blossom, these various reasons no longer seemed viable. And in recent years, Las Vegas not only received a WNBA team in the Aces but an NHL team in the Golden Knights, and most recently, the Raiders in the NFL. It is quite incredible how much change can come in less than a decade.
But there are many things that haven’t changed. Las Vegas has always possessed a sports culture, and it has always wholeheartedly embraced a winner. Its sports history is perhaps overshadowed by gaming, food and beverage, and world-class hotels. Yet, it has always been there. And it was most often heralded in Sin City s passion for UNLV sports and especially Runnin Rebels basketball. In recent years, as the Rebels program has performed sub-par, the rise of professional sports in Vegas gave the home crowd something to continue to cheer on.
However, more than any other sport in Las Vegas past and because of the Runnin Rebels former successes basketball is king. It may have been muted most recently by the roar of excited Raiders fans, and the enthused Golden Knights faithful, but basketball will always hold a special place in the city s history. Therefore, it is poetic that perhaps the first major sports title brought to the city will be with a professional basketball team.
The Aces are worthy of this elite position in Vegas sports history. Residing squarely on the shoulders of A ja Wilson, who has given everything possible to the postseason in the absence of the formidable Liz Cambage, the Aces have proven their grit as much as their talent. Led by the always dynamic and hard-working Coach Bill Laimbeer, the Aces can leave an indelible mark on the city.
Yes, due to the current conditions, Aces fans don t have the opportunity to support their squad in-person. And if the team does win it all, there likely cannot be some tremendous ticker-tape parade down Las Vegas Boulevard. The Aces become heroes to the city regardless of what celebrations look like, especially to young girls in Vegas playing basketball who can now root for their home team and dream of playing pro sports for their own city someday.
The Vegas Aces are just a few wins away. One series. One goal. One championship: which could be the first of its kind in Vegas sports history.
