One of the heavy hitters in US sport has praised the NRL for its Las Vegas strategy, saying the use of Sin City as a launching pad will “turbocharge” its entry into the American market.
Lawrence Epstein is Dana White’s right-hand man at the UFC and fronted the NRL’s official Las Vegas launch. It’s a sign the UFC, where Epstein is the chief operating officer, is very serious about its partnership with the NRL, which was announced on Thursday (AEDT).
“Las Vegas was crucial for our sport, and the NRL are very smart in using that as their launching pad,” Epstein said. “There is no question Las Vegas can turbocharge your entry into the sports market. They are doing this the right way.”
The biggest thing I have learnt from my week in Las Vegas is how strategic the NRL has been in its approach to marketing and promoting its season-opening double-header in March.
Given the constant sniping from some factions about investing in a game in Las Vegas, the NRL has been conscious not to waste money. That even extends to NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo knocking back an $80 vehicle to transport us to a dinner. He decided we should catch a cab together instead, which came in at $30. It’s the little things.
The NRL watched with interest Formula 1’s approach last month, when that sport held its first grand prix on the Vegas strip, and took significant knowledge from what was an at-times troubled start.
The UFC’s chief operating officer Lawrence Epstein.Credit: Getty
There is so much noise already in Vegas, it is almost impossible to make your own and be heard. Some estimate F1 spent $10 million on its launch. It will be a couple of years of pain for that sport, and it has been riding high.
The NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders rolled out the red carpet for the NRL. They didn’t have to do it, but it is testament to the respect the Raiders have for the sport and what it is trying to achieve. Their president even took time to mingle with NRL players Aaron Woods, Campbell Graham, Spencer Leniu and Billy Walters in a corporate box.
Why UFC boss is all in on league’s Las Vegas venture
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17.12.2023
One of the heavy hitters in US sport has praised the NRL for its Las Vegas strategy, saying the use of Sin City as a launching pad will “turbocharge” its entry into the American market.
Lawrence Epstein is Dana White’s right-hand man at the UFC and fronted the NRL’s official Las Vegas launch. It’s a sign the UFC, where Epstein is the chief operating officer, is very serious about its partnership with the NRL, which was announced on Thursday (AEDT).
“Las Vegas was crucial for our sport, and........
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