The Las Vegas Thread

[Fangs]

Some Country and Western singer

Old mate Willie Nelson as long as he hasn't had too many doobies beforehand. He might get confused and start singing Dixie.

Borat or Russell Coit

Pending availability. Kazakhstan residents have a hard time getting a visa these days.

 

[The Mad Hatter]

I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual
You sound like you’ve got an axe to grind.

 

[Wb1234]

If anyone @ NRL HQ is listening: if the steeden goes into the crowd let them keep it.

Kids allowed on the field at full time

 

[Canard]

The pitch will be 96x63m, so 4m shorter and 5m narrower than usual, but still substantially bigger than the normal NFL markings.
expect a short 10 too as the 10m lines will be condensed to 9.6m.

Source: https://amp.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/th...rugby-league-fields-ever-20230828-p5e03c.html

I wonder if that article, and the NRL, are factoring in the need for some separation between the lower bowl and the playing field?

 

[Gobsmacked]

I wonder if that article, and the NRL, are factoring in the need for some separation between the lower bowl and the playing field?

I was thinking the same, the NFL have a lot of people occupying the sidelines. Maybe we could stretch it by a metre each side to make the difference a more negligible 2 to 3 metres?
I'm sure they have already settled on a conclusion with this but we'll only likely get the answer in commentary before kick off.
My other question is the commentary team.. given this is broadcast live to the USA, are we going to have both Americans and Australians share the commentary or 2 separate commentary teams?
I'd be in favour of having a regular NFL commentator in the box asking Questions and commenting as well . He'll be more in tune to what question Americans would have and what plays he'd lament to those viewers.

 

[taste2taste]

I was thinking the same, the NFL have a lot of people occupying the sidelines. Maybe we could stretch it by a metre each side to make the difference a more negligible 2 to 3 metres?
I'm sure they have already settled on a conclusion with this but we'll only likely get the answer in commentary before kick off.
My other question is the commentary team.. given this is broadcast live to the USA, are we going to have both Americans and Australians share the commentary or 2 separate commentary teams?
I'd be in favour of having a regular NFL commentator in the box asking Questions and commenting as well . He'll be more in tune to what question Americans would have and what plays he'd lament to those viewers.

I'd say they would have a Fox USA commentary team, Fox Aus and ch 9. The aust commentary would be too technical for a new audience.

Having multiple broadcasts isn't anything new for American broascasters, NFL games have 3 feeds, national ( neutral) and each team has thier own commentary that goes into each teams market with commentary that concentrates on thier team.

Imagine if the poor Americans had to suffer through Gus Gould, would turn them right off.

In regards to the field size, this has the potential to make these games very defensive low scoring games. Wingers need every cm to score out wide, taking away 3 or 4 meters is huge.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

I wonder if that article, and the NRL, are factoring in the need for some separation between the lower bowl and the playing field?

I’m sure they are. Remember Allegiant had already been used for soccer matches, so I suspect the dimensions they’re quoting are the ones they already utilise for that. You can see in photos that the field is significantly wider than the NFL dimensions but that the extra space is taken up by all the stuff NFL puts on the sidelines.

 

[RL The greatest game]

Has anything been published saying how much the NRL stand to make at the event?

 

[Valheru]

I was thinking the same, the NFL have a lot of people occupying the sidelines. Maybe we could stretch it by a metre each side to make the difference a more negligible 2 to 3 metres?
I'm sure they have already settled on a conclusion with this but we'll only likely get the answer in commentary before kick off.
My other question is the commentary team.. given this is broadcast live to the USA, are we going to have both Americans and Australians share the commentary or 2 separate commentary teams?
I'd be in favour of having a regular NFL commentator in the box asking Questions and commenting as well . He'll be more in tune to what question Americans would have and what plays he'd lament to those viewers.

I feel they have already taken it in to consideration. NFL fields are super narrow so their figures sound right.

It's in their best interest to have the usual commentators for us and an American team for the locals maybe with a well known Aussie or 2. A good portion will probably struggle to understand what the Aussie commentators are saying let alone what the words/terms actually mean.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

I wonder if that article, and the NRL, are factoring in the need for some separation between the lower bowl and the playing field?

Found this that states Allegiant as being 67m wide which would fit perfectly with the 63m pitch width quoted in the other article, leaving 2m outside the sidelines on ether side.

NRL faces field size hurdle before Allegiant Stadium kick-off

The NRL is set to begin its 2024 season in Las Vegas, but size of the proposed venue at Allegiant Stadium is not wide enough for a rugby league field.

www.sportsbusinessjournal.com

 

[Wb1234]

Has anything been published saying how much the NRL stand to make at the event?

Saying it should break even In year one

given how conservative pvl is a profit of one to two million in year one is likely

 

[Canard]

Saying it should break even In year one

given how conservative pvl is a profit of one to two million in year one is likely

Surely the players travel, accommodation, promotion and advertising would far exceed any revenue generated from ticket sales?

But to be fair, this sort of exercise isn't about making money.

 

[Chimp]

Surely the players travel, accommodation, promotion and advertising would far exceed any revenue generated from ticket sales?

But to be fair, this sort of exercise isn't about making money.

I suspect the costs might be lower than people think - flights will be subsidised/covered by partnership/sponsorship with airline, promotion/advertising will likely be covered by Fox/Betting agency (they’re the ones who stand to gain the most), clubs have made ‘partnerships’ with NFL clubs for use of facilities….
The costs will still be relatively significant, but I think many of the bigger costs will be covered by partnerships - companies/organisations aren’t getting involved in this for the love of the NRL - they’re doing it because they see a chance to make some coin from it, so will be happy to invest (especially if that’s just an investment of free/subsidised services).

 

[Chimp]

Another point, any associated costs not recovered can probably offset against any tax deficit - effectively making it government funded.

 

[yakstorm]

Surely the players travel, accommodation, promotion and advertising would far exceed any revenue generated from ticket sales?

Travel has been heavily subsidised through the Fijian Airways sponsorship. Visit Las Vegas has paid the NRL to bring the event to Vegas, which includes subsidised accommodation.

If they sell all the tickets, travel & corporate hospitality, they look to make upwards to USD8-10m.

The AFR & SMH have put out there that the event will cost between AUD6m-8m.

So even if we assume only 40K tickets (60% capacity) are sold at the lower revenue figure, it still gives the NRL AUD7m in revenue after exchange, which lines up with Abdo's & PVLs breakeven point.

 

[Munky]

Another point, any associated costs not recovered can probably offset against any tax deficit - effectively making it government funded.

That's not how tax deductions/losses work.

 

[Gobsmacked]

Surely the players travel, accommodation, promotion and advertising would far exceed any revenue generated from ticket sales?

But to be fair, this sort of exercise isn't about making money.

I think if you get 60k through the gates and some fox money, it should comfortably cover costs but you're right that it isn't about a quick buck! That's why it's a five year commitment.
There's no doubt that it has put some prestige on the NRL, putting us forward as a global brand. Even the press we're getting here in Australia because of the event has a value.
Sorry to all the plebs who death road it because it's already a net benefit over 2 months out.

 

[Gobsmacked]

The Supr bowl is 2 weeks before the Vegas double header.. does the nrl pay for an Ad during super bowl??
Super expensive.. but could also but Super worth it.. Literally ALL of the US would then be aware of the NRL..

 

[Harry O]

Is it true players have to pay for accommodation,flights,food, from their own pockets???
I thought the clubs accommodated everything from A to Z

 

[Wb1234]

I suspect the costs might be lower than people think - flights will be subsidised/covered by partnership/sponsorship with airline, promotion/advertising will likely be covered by Fox/Betting agency (they’re the ones who stand to gain the most), clubs have made ‘partnerships’ with NFL clubs for use of facilities….
The costs will still be relatively significant, but I think many of the bigger costs will be covered by partnerships - companies/organisations aren’t getting involved in this for the love of the NRL - they’re doing it because they see a chance to make some coin from it, so will be happy to invest (especially if that’s just an investment of free/subsidised services).

Fiji airlines comping business class tickets

ticket sales so far just about cover staidum rent