Yes, ladies and gents, it’s true. The third round of the ECHL playoffs will take place, in part, in Las Vegas. Last week, the Wranglers knocked out their rivals, the Alaska Aces, and moved on in the Kelly Cup Playoffs. I’m totally shocked to see some publicity about it, too.
Obviously, being a Marketing Nerd, I’m biased, but I think it’s a real shame that there are people in this city (and even at the host hotel, The Orleans) that have NO FREAKIN’ CLUE that there’s a really good pro hockey team in Las Vegas. I’ve been a season ticket holder for years, and I hope they continue to get some attention.
I’m not going to turn this into a critique about what the Wranglers do or don’t do to market their product, because I’m sure there are budget restraints, conflicts with gaming revenues, etc. that I don’t understand. But I will say this to the Wranglers: If you don’t step up your marketing and PR for the 3rd round of the playoffs, you will embarrass the team and the loyal fans that do show up. When and if you do get some TV time, the topic won’t be the great play on the ice but instead the empty seats that only prove the non-believers are right. We can’t support a pro sports franchise in Las Vegas.
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