WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.720 --> 00:00:11.679 This is Inside the Vegas Huddle, your podcast connection to the events and initiatives 2 00:00:11.759 --> 00:00:16.000 led by the Las Vegas Super Bowl fifty eight host Committee in advance of the 3 00:00:16.120 --> 00:00:22.800 big game at Allegiance Stadium. Welcome to Inside the Vegas Huddle. Welcome back 4 00:00:22.839 --> 00:00:28.280 to Inside the Vegas Huddle. It's Joanna Bowman with iHeartRadio and I'm Chris Matthews 5 00:00:28.280 --> 00:00:32.799 with Channel eight KLASTV here in Las Vegas, and we're back for another exciting 6 00:00:32.840 --> 00:00:36.000 episode, episode number four. Chris, and it's amazing how fast time's going 7 00:00:36.039 --> 00:00:39.359 with the one hundred days out now from the Super Bowl. It's crazy when 8 00:00:39.399 --> 00:00:43.119 you think about the announcement counting down, the people coming into town, the 9 00:00:43.119 --> 00:00:47.079 city preparing for this. So Inside the Vegas Huddle we've kind of given folks 10 00:00:47.119 --> 00:00:50.000 an idea, listeners an idea, and those who view it on all the 11 00:00:50.000 --> 00:00:53.560 different platforms, and idea of what's going on in Las Vegas as we prepare 12 00:00:53.560 --> 00:00:56.280 for Super Bowl fifty eight. It's going to be so exciting. That's right. 13 00:00:56.320 --> 00:00:59.039 It's called Inside the Vegas Huddle for our reasons. So we kind of 14 00:00:59.079 --> 00:01:02.840 get the behind the scenes action, a little sneak peak of what it takes 15 00:01:02.920 --> 00:01:06.439 to put on a Super Bowl. So to kick off this exciting Super Bowl 16 00:01:06.439 --> 00:01:08.799 fifty eight, you need a tremendous stadium. That's what Las Vegas has at 17 00:01:08.799 --> 00:01:15.120 Allegiance Stadium. So we have the vice president of Stadium Operations, Chris Sotaoropolis 18 00:01:15.159 --> 00:01:18.680 here to just talk about everything associated with the Allegiant Stadium. Chris, we 19 00:01:18.760 --> 00:01:21.480 might be biased here in Las Vegas, but this stadium. When you hear 20 00:01:21.599 --> 00:01:23.560 others around the NFL talk when they come and visit, they've got to be 21 00:01:23.599 --> 00:01:29.000 saying to themselves this is number one. I'm also a little bit biased, 22 00:01:29.000 --> 00:01:32.239 but we feel like we designed and built one of the best stadiums in the 23 00:01:32.400 --> 00:01:36.400 NFL, in the world, and we are. I'm extremely excited to showcase 24 00:01:36.439 --> 00:01:38.719 do com February for the Super Bowl. Absolutely, And of course, like 25 00:01:38.920 --> 00:01:44.239 Chris said, if you live here in Las Vegas, you've seen Allegiant Stadium, 26 00:01:44.480 --> 00:01:46.799 you know, from start to finish, to see what it's become. 27 00:01:47.159 --> 00:01:51.599 But for anybody outside of Las Vegas, dive into some of the unique features 28 00:01:51.640 --> 00:01:53.760 of Allegiant Stadium, because, yeah, we want to brag about it a 29 00:01:53.799 --> 00:01:57.480 little bit. We think it's the best. Tell us why it's the best. 30 00:01:57.920 --> 00:02:00.159 Yeah, it's a great building. I think when we started designing Allegiant 31 00:02:00.200 --> 00:02:04.760 Stadium back in twenty seventeen, we obviously knew the Super Bowl was going to 32 00:02:04.840 --> 00:02:07.599 be played here somedays, so to now kind of be here and know that's 33 00:02:07.599 --> 00:02:12.280 a reality and talk about what makes our venue so special. And I think 34 00:02:12.439 --> 00:02:15.960 one of the main features, and I think what makes Allegiance Stadium so special 35 00:02:16.039 --> 00:02:22.039 is when we talk about the playing surface. We play on a natural grass 36 00:02:22.080 --> 00:02:25.560 field inside of a dome stadium, and that's just something really unique, and 37 00:02:25.599 --> 00:02:30.360 I think it really just highlights the importance of player safety being able to play 38 00:02:30.360 --> 00:02:35.360 on natural grass when you think of the history of football, I mean football 39 00:02:35.360 --> 00:02:38.719 started being played on grass, so that was really one of the important things 40 00:02:38.719 --> 00:02:42.199 we wanted to maintain. So when that when the game happens in February, 41 00:02:42.240 --> 00:02:46.280 it'll be on a nice grass field. You know what else is really neat 42 00:02:46.280 --> 00:02:47.879 about the stadium. I think I always tell people that come and ask me, 43 00:02:47.960 --> 00:02:51.680 Kras we're going to Allegiance Stadium. I stop and I say, Hey, 44 00:02:51.759 --> 00:02:53.879 what you have to do, no matter what is walk around the concourse. 45 00:02:54.159 --> 00:02:57.680 If you can go up, maybe take a stadium tour. But you 46 00:02:57.759 --> 00:03:00.879 gotta also see all the art, talk about the art and how that all 47 00:03:00.919 --> 00:03:04.639 came to be because it's Las Vegas history, it's writers history, and it's 48 00:03:04.639 --> 00:03:07.800 really really cool, and it's all local artists. That's exactly what we were 49 00:03:07.800 --> 00:03:10.199 trying to do. When you look at you know, how do we you 50 00:03:10.240 --> 00:03:14.919 know, the Raiders being new in Vegas, you know a lot of history 51 00:03:14.919 --> 00:03:17.560 with your organization, But then we also looked at Vegas and you look at 52 00:03:17.560 --> 00:03:21.560 the history of the city, so much history. So when we looked at 53 00:03:21.599 --> 00:03:24.400 how are we going to incorporate an art program, it's got to combine both. 54 00:03:24.479 --> 00:03:28.479 So you know, when you're walking around and you're seeing it, you're 55 00:03:28.479 --> 00:03:34.800 seeing really great moments in greater history. You're also seeing really iconic Vegas imagery. 56 00:03:34.840 --> 00:03:38.240 And I think those combined really creates something that I don't know any other 57 00:03:38.319 --> 00:03:44.039 city could create, something as eclectic and cool. It really has something for 58 00:03:44.120 --> 00:03:46.840 everyone. And that's what I kind of tell it's, you know, you 59 00:03:46.840 --> 00:03:50.039 you walk around and you see, you know, a photo of you know, 60 00:03:50.120 --> 00:03:52.919 Al Davis, and then you got Elvis Presley and you got really just 61 00:03:53.680 --> 00:03:55.680 iconic things. And we really were able to showcase that in the in the 62 00:03:55.759 --> 00:04:00.159 art program, which you're really excited about. Yeah, being able to to 63 00:04:00.159 --> 00:04:03.240 tour Allegiance Stadium is always something really cool that I also tell people to make 64 00:04:03.240 --> 00:04:06.879 sure they do when they come from out of town. But super Bowl fifty 65 00:04:06.919 --> 00:04:11.520 eight, we obviously are showing off the best of our city and that includes 66 00:04:11.719 --> 00:04:15.120 the seating options that are available at Allegiance Stadium and some of the premium options 67 00:04:15.120 --> 00:04:17.879 that are available. Tell us a little bit about that, Yeah, So 68 00:04:18.279 --> 00:04:23.959 again, we wanted to design something that you know, Vegas is luxury, 69 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:28.319 Vegas's first class. We had to design seating options that really showcase that. 70 00:04:28.519 --> 00:04:30.959 So in total, we've got over one hundred and thirty suites, so we've 71 00:04:30.959 --> 00:04:35.199 got some great premium product. We've also got the wind Field Club, which 72 00:04:35.879 --> 00:04:40.680 in our North End zone really right on the field, and that's really one 73 00:04:40.680 --> 00:04:44.000 of the best spots to really feel like you're part of the action. In 74 00:04:44.000 --> 00:04:46.680 addition, this past offseason, we also added some more club suites, so 75 00:04:46.720 --> 00:04:53.879 we've really enhanced that premium experience. So whether you know you're in one of 76 00:04:53.879 --> 00:04:58.720 those club suites or Winfield Club, nine different areas that really have an elevated 77 00:04:58.759 --> 00:05:02.680 experience. On our one fifty suite level, it's an all inclusive food menu. 78 00:05:02.759 --> 00:05:08.040 We bring in celebrity chefs to really showcase a lot of different culinary things 79 00:05:08.079 --> 00:05:12.240 that enhance what the city really is all about. We are talking with the 80 00:05:12.279 --> 00:05:15.879 vice president of Stadium Operations, Chris Sodoropolis, and Chris, I got to 81 00:05:15.879 --> 00:05:18.319 ask you about that big torch and when people come to the Super Bowl, 82 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:20.839 they're going to see this and that they've been to again, they've seen it, 83 00:05:20.959 --> 00:05:24.519 the big torch. But then also, what about those Leonio doors. 84 00:05:24.639 --> 00:05:27.040 I got to ask you, when are you going to open up those Lanni 85 00:05:27.120 --> 00:05:29.279 doors. I don't think they've ever been opened yet for a game. Have 86 00:05:29.319 --> 00:05:31.560 they I don't think so we're hoping someday they're going to get open. I 87 00:05:31.600 --> 00:05:33.759 can't. I can't. I don't know when that's going to be. But 88 00:05:33.800 --> 00:05:36.720 we're going to keep everyone on their toes, so hopefully there will be the 89 00:05:36.800 --> 00:05:41.480 perfect day where we can really showcase that. But when we looked at, 90 00:05:42.360 --> 00:05:45.120 you know the history of the Raiders sixty plus years, we've played in a 91 00:05:45.160 --> 00:05:47.480 lot of different stadiums, and I think when you look at our days in 92 00:05:47.879 --> 00:05:54.360 La at the La Memorial County Coliseum, that Lani door with the paristyle and 93 00:05:54.360 --> 00:05:58.680 with the torch really just embodies kind of a little owed to that kind of 94 00:05:58.800 --> 00:06:02.360 history where we were playing there. But really the torch very symbolic. Obviously 95 00:06:02.399 --> 00:06:08.720 Al Davis his you know, legacy on this organization and you know, the 96 00:06:08.759 --> 00:06:12.199 words that he spoke, the greatness of the Raiders in its future to the 97 00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:15.839 fire that burns brightest is the will to win, and I think that torch 98 00:06:15.920 --> 00:06:19.040 really embodies that spirit that Al has still left for us. So when you're 99 00:06:19.079 --> 00:06:23.839 in the stadium, impossible to miss. I think that's just that iconic moment 100 00:06:23.879 --> 00:06:27.519 when you walk in and you're really enamored by it. And it's actually the 101 00:06:27.600 --> 00:06:30.639 largest three D printed structure in the world. So when you were trying to 102 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:35.480 develop that, it's like, how do you really incorporate and get the look 103 00:06:35.519 --> 00:06:39.800 of it. And that's kind of the methodology that we went with, you 104 00:06:39.839 --> 00:06:42.879 know, creating that torch. So again, if you're in the building, 105 00:06:43.040 --> 00:06:46.839 impossible to miss, that's kind of you know, every building has that has 106 00:06:46.879 --> 00:06:49.879 that area that really just people gravitate towards, and for us, I think 107 00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:54.360 the torch really embodies that. Yeah, I think that has to be maybe 108 00:06:54.360 --> 00:06:59.360 one of the most photographable things at Allegiance Stadium, and you guys are always 109 00:06:59.399 --> 00:07:02.399 cutting at as well in terms of what you're doing to maybe make our world 110 00:07:02.519 --> 00:07:06.240 a better place. I know, there's a lot of really great sustainability measures 111 00:07:06.279 --> 00:07:10.560 that have been recently put into plays and you've, guys, over a Legion 112 00:07:10.560 --> 00:07:14.000 Stadium achieved some pretty great status. Do you want to brag about that a 113 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:16.160 little bit? Yeah, So we've got a few things to brag about, 114 00:07:16.199 --> 00:07:18.279 and we don't do it just to brag about it. I think, you 115 00:07:18.319 --> 00:07:23.959 know, sustainability is a huge part of just giving back to the community. 116 00:07:24.000 --> 00:07:27.800 I think, you know, we want to be good stewards to the city 117 00:07:27.800 --> 00:07:30.839 that we play in, into the you know, constituents that really helped make 118 00:07:30.879 --> 00:07:35.639 Allegiant Stadium what it is. So we recently received Lead Gold certification, which 119 00:07:35.680 --> 00:07:44.600 is a really prestigious designation that really speaks to the operational sustainability in the within 120 00:07:44.639 --> 00:07:49.240 the stadium. So everything we do from waste aversion, water, resourcefulness, 121 00:07:49.240 --> 00:07:54.439 those are all things that go into that certification. That's something that just really 122 00:07:54.480 --> 00:08:00.199 speaks to the volume of sustainability touches. Everything touch is the guest, the 123 00:08:00.240 --> 00:08:03.600 employees, and it's a really team effort getting everyone involved in making that a 124 00:08:03.600 --> 00:08:07.800 priority, so as we get ready for the Super Bowl, that was really 125 00:08:07.800 --> 00:08:11.959 something important for us to get that Lead Gold certification status. In addition, 126 00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:18.000 we also recently announced we are elitiant. Stadium is fully on renewable energy, 127 00:08:18.800 --> 00:08:24.040 and that's a really important thing for us to talk about because again, for 128 00:08:24.120 --> 00:08:26.680 the you know, elite, we plan to be here for many many years, 129 00:08:26.720 --> 00:08:31.480 thirty plus years, so to be able to have that as a component 130 00:08:31.560 --> 00:08:35.600 in our in our you know, energy supply, that's really you know, 131 00:08:35.679 --> 00:08:39.200 gives back to the to the environment. So we're really happy that we're able 132 00:08:39.240 --> 00:08:41.879 to do that, and Roy's looking for ways to get better as as it 133 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:46.039 relates sustainability, because we know we want to you know, do things that 134 00:08:46.080 --> 00:08:48.639 are right for the community and you know, engaging those practice so we can 135 00:08:48.720 --> 00:08:52.720 set the standard for what other buildings can do here in this city. Yeah, 136 00:08:52.720 --> 00:08:56.759 it feels like you guys have kind of set the standard from the moment 137 00:08:56.799 --> 00:08:58.960 you open the doors till now. So that's really exciting. Getting ready for 138 00:09:00.200 --> 00:09:05.559 Super Bowl fifty eight on February eleventh, I got to ask you about the 139 00:09:05.720 --> 00:09:07.919 configuration. I know they're gonna change a little bit on that north end correct, 140 00:09:07.960 --> 00:09:11.240 and then CBS was recently By the way, we brag about CBS because 141 00:09:11.240 --> 00:09:13.399 the game is gonna be on our channel, so we're excited about that. 142 00:09:13.759 --> 00:09:16.960 But the CBS was recently intent also kind of a walk through prior to the 143 00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:20.120 New England game to kind of go over some things talk about that and how 144 00:09:20.120 --> 00:09:22.879 the configuration may change for the Super Bowl. Yeah, I don't want to 145 00:09:22.879 --> 00:09:26.080 give everything away, but it's gonna look a little bit different. I think 146 00:09:26.120 --> 00:09:31.159 when you talk about, you know, the game being on a worldwide stage, 147 00:09:31.240 --> 00:09:33.320 so the amount of additional media that we bring in, so there's things 148 00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:37.879 that we have to do to you know, create additional boosts. There's things 149 00:09:37.879 --> 00:09:41.080 that we have to do to accommodate you know, additional radio broadcast. And 150 00:09:41.120 --> 00:09:45.159 when we talk about the CBS component, you know, this season has been 151 00:09:45.200 --> 00:09:46.840 really great. We've been able to try out a lot of different technologies. 152 00:09:46.879 --> 00:09:50.360 So when CBS comes in in February, you're gonna see a lot of different 153 00:09:50.720 --> 00:09:56.919 cool things that they might not normally do for normal broadcasts. But being able 154 00:09:56.000 --> 00:10:01.879 to accommodate that, and I think it just speaks again to the technologically advanced 155 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:03.320 nature of the building. You know, where you go to some older buildings, 156 00:10:03.320 --> 00:10:07.440 you're not able to really accomplish doing some of the things that you know, 157 00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:11.000 whether it's the broadcast or halftime, whatever these groups want to do. 158 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:16.360 But we've got the infrastructure to really give them a canvas to, you know, 159 00:10:16.519 --> 00:10:18.720 really create some awesome moments. So whether you know you're gonna be in 160 00:10:18.759 --> 00:10:22.360 the stadium enjoying it in person or on TV, it's really gonna make for 161 00:10:22.440 --> 00:10:26.200 a incredible experience. So we'll see some things that we may have never seen 162 00:10:26.200 --> 00:10:31.279 in a super Bowl before. There's probably some things that are gonna get implemented 163 00:10:31.279 --> 00:10:35.799 here that is gonna blow some people away. So we're excited to showcase that. 164 00:10:35.879 --> 00:10:37.960 And I think when you look at I think that speaks to really Vegas 165 00:10:37.960 --> 00:10:43.960 as a whole. Vegas is a city that's always innovating, there's always such 166 00:10:43.039 --> 00:10:46.519 there's a lot of new things. So I think when you look at you 167 00:10:46.559 --> 00:10:48.799 know how we wanted to envision the Super Bowl here. This isn't just your 168 00:10:48.840 --> 00:10:52.200 average city. We wanted to make sure we go above and beyond. So 169 00:10:52.200 --> 00:10:56.320 I think you're gonna see some really exciting stuff that gets into the into the 170 00:10:56.360 --> 00:10:58.639 broadcast. I got to ask you one more thing, about the stadium itself 171 00:10:58.639 --> 00:11:01.960 when you just mentioned Las Vegas and everybody who goes, all these visitors who 172 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:05.120 come to the Super Bowl got to go down to the one wall where you 173 00:11:05.159 --> 00:11:07.679 start with the settlers. You walk down the wall one side on the left 174 00:11:07.679 --> 00:11:11.039 side, you come back and you have to go through the history. You 175 00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:13.200 know, Frank Sinatra, Donnie Oh, it's my blah blah blah, Katie 176 00:11:13.200 --> 00:11:16.720 Perried, But talk about that wall because that's that's that's history right there that 177 00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:22.440 you got to check out. Yeah, another great element of the art program 178 00:11:22.559 --> 00:11:24.679 again, just kind of shout out. Michael Goddard was the one that really 179 00:11:26.080 --> 00:11:30.639 you know, took the vision of what you know Mark thought and really brought 180 00:11:30.919 --> 00:11:33.879 all local artists. You know when we look at you know what he did. 181 00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:37.440 You know, we didn't want to outsource anything. So it's all the 182 00:11:37.480 --> 00:11:41.039 local artists. And when you talk about that history area again, people that 183 00:11:41.240 --> 00:11:43.960 aren't don't know Vegas, they think of, you know, certain things and 184 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:48.159 for us to be able to now you know, when you're walking through and 185 00:11:48.240 --> 00:11:50.639 you know you show up early, you know you're looking something to do before 186 00:11:50.639 --> 00:11:54.000 the game starts. We're gonna teach you a little something, whether it's you 187 00:11:54.000 --> 00:11:56.080 know, about Vegas or about the construction of the building. We really tried 188 00:11:56.120 --> 00:12:03.960 to incorporate mints that really highlighted what makes you know, this building so unique 189 00:12:03.960 --> 00:12:07.840 and special. Let's hope that game lives up to the art super Bowl because 190 00:12:07.840 --> 00:12:09.039 it is fabulous. I always tell people, yeah, to check out the 191 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:11.759 artist. I was insane, terrific. And the halftime show. I know 192 00:12:11.840 --> 00:12:16.720 you've last time we talked Chris, we didn't have the artist. It wasn't 193 00:12:16.720 --> 00:12:20.840 announced last podcast we did the last episode, so now to know that it's 194 00:12:20.919 --> 00:12:26.360 usher and I'm sure Chris sees things behind the scenes, are maybe hearing little 195 00:12:26.399 --> 00:12:30.320 tidbits of how he's going to make that really cool and unique too. I'm 196 00:12:30.320 --> 00:12:35.120 hearing little things. I'm on the conversations. But from what I know about 197 00:12:35.480 --> 00:12:37.440 what ushers all about, what he can bring to the table and really what 198 00:12:39.639 --> 00:12:41.960 again, what we want to showcase here in the city, I don't think 199 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:45.240 anyone's going to be disappointed with what the show is going to bring in. 200 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:48.559 You know, while the day is all about football, I think, you 201 00:12:48.600 --> 00:12:50.879 know, throwing a little concert in the middle, there is also a fun 202 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:56.080 this a little concert, no big deal. Well, thank you Chris, 203 00:12:56.080 --> 00:12:58.799 we appreciate you giving us kind of a brief history of Allegian Stadium, and 204 00:13:00.080 --> 00:13:03.960 people are going to be able to see and expect from the greatest, greatest 205 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:07.480 stadium in the world right here in Las Vegas during Super Bowl fifty eight. 206 00:13:07.759 --> 00:13:09.840 Yeah, we're very excited. I think it's you know, I mentioned it 207 00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:15.480 earlier when you and I think when the stadium was just a pipe dream raiders 208 00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:18.240 were, you know, deciding to come here to think that we're now, 209 00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:24.519 heck, six seven years later, we're now getting ready to talk about a 210 00:13:24.519 --> 00:13:28.720 Super Bowl. I think just really speaks to the volume of what the stadium 211 00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:33.600 means to the community and really being able to showcase the stadium on a worldwide 212 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:37.279 stage. So we're we're we're extremely excited. Still quite a bit of work 213 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:41.240 to do. That one hundred date countdown, you know, still gives me 214 00:13:41.240 --> 00:13:45.120 a little bit anxiety, but the team over at the stadium, in conjunction 215 00:13:45.200 --> 00:13:48.360 with everyone, we're really excited to really showcase what makes Allegiant stadiums of special. 216 00:13:54.440 --> 00:13:58.720 And we're back for another episode of Inside the Vegas Huddle. Hello, 217 00:13:58.799 --> 00:14:01.960 my name is Joetta Baumann with iHeartRadio, and I'm Chris Matthews with Channel A 218 00:14:03.080 --> 00:14:05.919 KLESTV here in Las Vegas, and we got a special guest going on right 219 00:14:05.960 --> 00:14:09.639 here and he's going to join us. That is the CEO of the Las 220 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:11.440 Vegas Host Committee, Bill McConnell. And Bill, thank you very much for 221 00:14:11.480 --> 00:14:16.120 being here. It's exciting now because we're one hundred days counting down from one 222 00:14:16.159 --> 00:14:18.960 hundred days. It makes it seem like it is right around the corner. 223 00:14:20.320 --> 00:14:22.000 Wake me up. Is this a dream? Because the whole thing feels like 224 00:14:22.039 --> 00:14:26.039 a dream. But yeah, one hundred days ago. So much to be 225 00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:28.039 excited about. And thanks for having me. Glad to be here. We 226 00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:31.759 love that you are here because we hear all things NFL. You are the 227 00:14:31.799 --> 00:14:35.440 guy in town to talk to. Well, I's got a lot of pressure 228 00:14:35.440 --> 00:14:39.559 to put on you right away. Before I joined the Las Vegas Super Bowl 229 00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:45.960 Host Committee as a chief operations officer, I spent the last ten years as 230 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:50.159 a general manager for the stadium in Jacksonville, and prior to that, I 231 00:14:50.200 --> 00:14:54.639 worked for the NFL for a twenty plus season. So I had a chance 232 00:14:54.679 --> 00:14:58.600 to work from the NFL side of things on the Super Bowl and so now 233 00:14:58.720 --> 00:15:03.200 to be on this side of it working for Las Vegas representing the host committee. 234 00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:07.480 It's just it's an honor beyond words. But when you think of the 235 00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:09.399 NFL and what they've done through the years and now this will be Super Bowl 236 00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:11.799 fifty eight, and you mentioned you worked for a number of years with the 237 00:15:11.840 --> 00:15:16.279 Super Bowl. What is the NFL saying about that you're here and what is 238 00:15:16.320 --> 00:15:18.919 the NFL saying about Las Vegas as they now prepared it's one hundred days out. 239 00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:22.960 Well, I think we almost all have to step back because, yes, 240 00:15:24.000 --> 00:15:26.679 it's Super Bowl fifty eight, but in many respects, it's Super Bowl 241 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:31.679 one because it's the first one in Las Vegas. And I think that we 242 00:15:31.799 --> 00:15:37.399 all know, whether people are saying it or just feeling it, that this 243 00:15:37.480 --> 00:15:39.679 one is going to be special beyond all others. Yeah, and I think 244 00:15:39.759 --> 00:15:46.799 that brings that brings everybody together because we again, we all know that when 245 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:52.080 you take the power of the NFL and what is special and fabulous about Las 246 00:15:52.200 --> 00:15:58.360 Vegas and put them together for the biggest event in the world, I mean, 247 00:15:58.399 --> 00:16:00.799 you could just Vegas. If you can dream it, you can do 248 00:16:00.840 --> 00:16:06.639 it. And my joke about the dream was only part tongue in cheek. 249 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:11.919 But to think that we're putting on together the first super Bowl in Las Vegas. 250 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:15.480 Given the history of the NFL, the history of Las Vegas, I 251 00:16:15.480 --> 00:16:21.000 mean, you can tell me stories about how not too many years ago, 252 00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:23.159 the chances of a Super Bowl in Las Vegas were zero, and that math 253 00:16:23.320 --> 00:16:27.240 just doesn't work out. There was a long ago when the NFL did not 254 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:32.360 even like Las Vegas. You couldn't even advertise the casinos. And how things 255 00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:34.679 have just changed now. It's phenomenal what's going on. And this won't be 256 00:16:34.679 --> 00:16:37.960 the last Super Bowl in Las Vegas either. The NFL likes what they you 257 00:16:37.960 --> 00:16:41.559 know, you have, they had the rotation. I cannot imagine the NFL 258 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:45.159 not putting Las Vegas in that rotation. Well, the fact that the NFL 259 00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:49.840 has come out recently and already endorsed the notion of multiple super Bowls in Las 260 00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:53.919 Vegas, I think speaks to what this community, what the city, what 261 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:59.519 this Southern Nevada region. You know, where they are on the big event 262 00:16:59.639 --> 00:17:04.119 map. And so to give us that endorsement before we've proven ourselves in real 263 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:10.039 time says a lot. But it also challenges challenges us a lot to be 264 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:14.319 as successful as we all know it can be, right and we know the 265 00:17:14.440 --> 00:17:18.599 details that go into the preparations and the planning. It's not easy from start 266 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:21.400 to finish. So if you could dive into that a little bit more built 267 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:26.279 in terms of what really would you say has been something that has stuck out 268 00:17:26.319 --> 00:17:30.359 to you in terms of getting the Super Bowl set up, specifically with Allegiant 269 00:17:30.359 --> 00:17:36.599 Stadium and how unique that stadium is. There's so many things that stand out, 270 00:17:36.640 --> 00:17:41.319 but I think what stands out to me from my background and experience again 271 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:45.519 is where we're starting from. And if you realize that it was only a 272 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:52.000 few years ago when the NFL finally reached out to Las Vegas and the conversations 273 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:57.720 happened between the LVCVA, the leadership of Las Vegas and the NFL, and 274 00:17:57.759 --> 00:18:07.279 the NFL presented a bid which is probably this high of obligations and requirements and 275 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:11.440 you know, if you're to look at it financially, fifty or sixty million 276 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:18.279 dollars worth of obligations and requirements from public safety, transportation, and the stadium, 277 00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:22.839 which which Chris gave a great overview in the in the last segment Community 278 00:18:22.880 --> 00:18:29.599 Relations. The list goes on and on, and to see the host committee 279 00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:34.519 and those the leaders in this community that are stepping up and engaged to make 280 00:18:34.559 --> 00:18:41.119 sure that Las Vegas presents itself to the highest standard really stands out now operationally 281 00:18:41.720 --> 00:18:47.519 and logistically what the NFL has to do, not only in putting on the 282 00:18:47.559 --> 00:18:51.000 game, but what the destination has to do to make sure that all the 283 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:56.039 pieces work together. It's it's really exciting to watch that play out. And 284 00:18:56.119 --> 00:18:57.920 you know, you think of all the things that have gone on kind of 285 00:18:57.960 --> 00:19:02.160 behind the scenes with preparing for the Super Bowl, what the host Committee's done, 286 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:06.319 and you were recently over at UNLV and the internship programs, and I 287 00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:10.839 can't even imagine how excited, how excited these students must be to be able 288 00:19:10.839 --> 00:19:14.720 to work with the Super Bowl host Committee helping prepare for a Super Bowl. 289 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:18.559 But also Sam was telling us behind the scenes. Sam Jeoffrey was telling us 290 00:19:18.599 --> 00:19:23.200 behind the scenes that this city has just embraced its like no other. It's 291 00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:29.759 it's it impresses upon all of us. I think they're and you know, 292 00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:34.039 when you see what the Golden Knights have done, what the Aces have done, 293 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:38.079 what the stadium has meant, and the Raiders have meant, It's it's 294 00:19:38.480 --> 00:19:45.079 no secret now in the world sees it how this community is a sports community. 295 00:19:45.119 --> 00:19:51.240 Now, Las Vegas and its history has been the pre eminent entertainment destination 296 00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:56.200 and that evolution continues. But to now see, you know this what this 297 00:19:56.319 --> 00:20:03.440 city is from a sports standpoint, It deserves a Super Bowl and many more. 298 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:06.599 Yeah, the fans want, the fans are excited. Can you tell 299 00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:10.359 us a little bit about some of the special fan experiences, activities that are 300 00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:14.880 planned for the stadium and things that we can expect maybe an opening night I 301 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:18.839 think you can tell us. Yeah. So the NFL, of course, 302 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:22.480 is the one who puts on the game. Our job is to facilitate and 303 00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:27.839 support and provide and deliver all those obligations that Las Vegas has made. But 304 00:20:29.400 --> 00:20:34.839 the opening night event on Monday, February fifth is going to be open to 305 00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:40.799 the public. So it's a great opportunity for perhaps those who won't have an 306 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:44.319 access to a ticket to the game. That's a lot of us. They'll 307 00:20:44.359 --> 00:20:48.519 be well, the demand for those are high and the supply is low, 308 00:20:48.640 --> 00:20:53.000 so that's no secret. But the fact that both teams will be at Allegiance 309 00:20:53.039 --> 00:21:00.160 Stadium that Monday afternoon. It used to be in the old day Media Day 310 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:04.440 where the media would come and talk to the players. Now they're bringing not 311 00:21:04.519 --> 00:21:07.640 only media day so to speak back to the stadium, but it's open to 312 00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:12.000 the public. That's cool, and so that's really cool, and we know 313 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:18.160 that the community will come out and support that. The Super Bowl Experience will 314 00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:22.079 be at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center and that'll start Wednesday before the game. 315 00:21:22.440 --> 00:21:27.720 The NFL's and the process of planning a lot of little different activities for each 316 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:32.359 day to make each day special. So that's something to keep an eye on. 317 00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:37.799 I would encourage everybody. The NFL has this mobile app called one Pass, 318 00:21:37.960 --> 00:21:42.440 which it's actually active now, and while it may not have a lot 319 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:48.680 of information on there, it does have some good information about both Opening Night 320 00:21:48.759 --> 00:21:52.119 and the super Bowl experience. That's really cool. Our tickets available right now. 321 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:56.599 They will go on sale December fourteenth, I believe it is. There 322 00:21:56.640 --> 00:22:03.279 should be a pre sale opportunity for those who are paying attention. So we'll 323 00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:07.839 all have to keep our eye out to the ground inside the huddle inside. 324 00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:14.119 That's right. Bill's bringing us that info. I like that, and obviously 325 00:22:14.880 --> 00:22:18.000 the Super Bowl is bringing out people from all over the world are going to 326 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:21.640 be here. Can you talk to us a little bit about the safety precautions 327 00:22:21.680 --> 00:22:23.279 that are being put in place. I think just safety in general at big 328 00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:27.160 events like this are always top of mind, and I know that you guys 329 00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:30.519 obviously have to be thinking about those things. Well, hats off to the 330 00:22:30.640 --> 00:22:38.720 NFL and the Las Vegas, which both organizations put or entities put safety at 331 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:42.799 the highest level of priority. So there's no question about that. And it's 332 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:48.920 one of the luxuries of being in an NFL city because the NFL has a 333 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:53.839 tight network of security professionals across the country and across the world that are in 334 00:22:53.880 --> 00:23:02.119 constant communication what Metro PD is and for this city already is at the highest 335 00:23:02.160 --> 00:23:07.000 standard. And so when you bring those two together, it's not only comforting, 336 00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:11.039 but then when you layer on top of that that the Super Bowl will 337 00:23:11.079 --> 00:23:18.480 be a Level one SEER event, which is a Homeland Security designated highest level 338 00:23:18.519 --> 00:23:26.200 security event, which allows federal resources to be supplemented to the overall efforts. 339 00:23:26.279 --> 00:23:32.839 So I think there's no higher priority than safety, and so's it's good to 340 00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:37.920 see that. Moving forward, I think one of the questions could be, 341 00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:42.680 well, what does that mean for the stadium in the overall experience, because 342 00:23:42.839 --> 00:23:48.319 of the Level one National Security designation. Part of what will have to happen, 343 00:23:48.599 --> 00:23:52.160 and we can't talk too much about it, but there will be a 344 00:23:52.200 --> 00:23:57.319 secured perimeter that's built around the stadium, and so I think what people will 345 00:23:57.359 --> 00:24:03.079 see as that starts to get build built is will be a transformation of the 346 00:24:03.119 --> 00:24:08.000 stadium campus sure, and so the security checkpoints we're for a Raiders game or 347 00:24:08.359 --> 00:24:15.039 an Allegiant Stadium event, people are used to accessing through the checkpoints that are 348 00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:19.839 right up close to the stadium itself, those will all be built out. 349 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:25.279 And so because of that three hundred foot perimeter, the parking spaces that are 350 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:33.000 normally utilized for stadium events are no longer available for parking, which puts tremendous 351 00:24:33.039 --> 00:24:40.359 pressure on the transportation and parking plan because there has to be access to the 352 00:24:40.400 --> 00:24:47.880 streets and private lots around the stadium that will be used for the transportation plan 353 00:24:48.119 --> 00:24:52.319 and system. So the campus will look different. Part of our job will 354 00:24:52.359 --> 00:24:57.240 be as it gets built to make sure that we're communicating to people so that 355 00:24:57.319 --> 00:25:02.880 whether you're coming to the game itself, you have an understanding of the best 356 00:25:02.920 --> 00:25:06.960 way to access the stadium, but if you're if you're a resident or a 357 00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:11.039 visitor, and you still have to access the roadways. We're going to do 358 00:25:11.559 --> 00:25:15.359 and the NFL is going to do a good job of making sure that those 359 00:25:15.400 --> 00:25:18.319 plans are communicated to try to make it as smooth an experience as possible. 360 00:25:18.599 --> 00:25:22.599 Well, you know, I think in Las Vegas as the it was always 361 00:25:22.640 --> 00:25:23.920 known as the entertainment capital of the world. And as you mentioned, Bill, 362 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:26.559 now, we'd like to call this sports and entertainment capital the world. 363 00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:30.559 Have been the entertainment capital of the world. We've had all these residencies and 364 00:25:32.119 --> 00:25:37.799 Usher and ACDC and Katie Perry and YouTube right now is playing. Did you 365 00:25:37.839 --> 00:25:40.759 guys have any say at all or any recommendations. Did you guys look to 366 00:25:40.799 --> 00:25:42.720 the NFL and say, we've done this, We've had all these residencies, 367 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:47.319 all these superstars, do these concerts here, here's a couple of recommendations, 368 00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:51.119 or do they just totally take control of it. It's an NFL decision. 369 00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:56.599 They have a partnership with Rock Nation and Apple Music, and so I think, 370 00:25:56.920 --> 00:26:02.000 of course we all gave our opinions and maybe put hope after hope, 371 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:06.640 but we were many of us were thinking, let's have trust and confidence that 372 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:10.440 the NFL is going to do the right thing. Hopefully they'll pick somebody and 373 00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:15.319 pay some homage to Las Vegas, right And look, the list of residency 374 00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:18.839 artists over the years is a lot to choose from. But personally, I 375 00:26:18.880 --> 00:26:23.519 think the fact that they've selected somebody who knows Las Vegas, who is a 376 00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:27.000 big fan of Las Vegas. I don't know that you can pick a better 377 00:26:27.160 --> 00:26:30.680 ambassador for Las Vegas than Usher. Now. I don't know his music as 378 00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:37.279 well as maybe some other listeners do, but and for me anecdotally, I 379 00:26:37.279 --> 00:26:42.200 didn't hear anybody complaining. Matter of fact, you know that he's going to 380 00:26:42.240 --> 00:26:45.039 bring the fun. He was so grateful to be part of this thing. 381 00:26:45.160 --> 00:26:48.559 Is like a dream come true for him to be part of the Super Bowl. 382 00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:52.240 It's refreshing to see. That's really cool. Yeah, that's like so 383 00:26:52.319 --> 00:26:56.440 many little details, so many nooks and crannies, And I know, what's 384 00:26:56.480 --> 00:27:00.319 the biggest thing you guys got to do? Still? Now? Is there 385 00:27:00.359 --> 00:27:04.359 something you're saying, oh? Or is it just so mind boggling. That's 386 00:27:04.359 --> 00:27:08.359 a million little things. We talk about this all the time, and Sam 387 00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:11.640 may have talked about it, or you may have heard it before I think 388 00:27:11.880 --> 00:27:17.400 without looking at data, and Jeremy will give you some more detail on numbers 389 00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:21.279 and impact and stuff. But we think there's there's two ways that the Super 390 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:23.559 Bowl are going to be successful that are going to be really easy to judge. 391 00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:29.359 One is that those that are coming into Las Vegas, the NFL, 392 00:27:29.720 --> 00:27:34.759 all of their constituents that that come in experience the Super Bowl are wowed beyond 393 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:40.559 belief and they leave town and say, Wow, how are we going to 394 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:44.599 experience something like that anywhere else? And the answer is you can't. The 395 00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:49.200 second the second way is that is that the Las Vegas community, whether you're 396 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:55.160 a resident of business, media, anybody that's involved with it, says, 397 00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:59.559 at the end of it, that's how we do it here, and we'd 398 00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:03.359 love to have you back. And so we're working every day to try to 399 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:07.480 make sure that those two goals are delivered upon. I can tell that. 400 00:28:07.519 --> 00:28:11.960 Thank you so much, Bill McConnell's Oh I'm a Las Vegas host committee, 401 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:15.119 Thank you for being here with us today. Thanks for having me, appreciate 402 00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:23.599 it. Welcome back to episode four Inside the Vegas Huddle. My name is 403 00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:29.240 Joanna Bowman with iHeartRadio, and I'm Chris Matthews with Channel eight KLSTV right here 404 00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:30.720 in Las Vegas, and we have a special guest. I know you're gonna 405 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:34.839 love this once again. The treasurer of the super Bowl Host Committee, the 406 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:38.400 Executive Committee here is Jeremy Aguero. Jeremy, thank you very much for dropping 407 00:28:38.440 --> 00:28:41.559 in. It's always fun to talk to you because I like numbers. I 408 00:28:41.599 --> 00:28:45.640 love Las Vegas, and when we talk about numbers, Las Vegas and super 409 00:28:45.640 --> 00:28:48.079 Bowl, it all kind of ties in. It's going to be a huge, 410 00:28:48.160 --> 00:28:51.039 juge event. Well, first, thanks for having me here and the 411 00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:53.240 fact that we get to talk about numbers. Now you're in my zone. 412 00:28:53.400 --> 00:28:57.839 So thanks. We've been looking forward to following up with you since episode one, 413 00:28:57.960 --> 00:29:02.880 as Jeremy was with us on episode one, And of course you know 414 00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:06.599 all about the impact of Super Bowl fifty eight here in Las Vegas and US 415 00:29:06.680 --> 00:29:08.640 locals who live here in Las Vegas. We're curious about, you know, 416 00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:12.599 what is the good stuff that comes and what's going to impact local businesses because 417 00:29:12.839 --> 00:29:15.799 I feel like that's always top of mind for our community. Do you know 418 00:29:15.839 --> 00:29:19.200 what it's happening already right? I mean, we're talking about a super Bowl 419 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:22.960 is a huge level of investment. Right, probably, at least to date, 420 00:29:23.160 --> 00:29:26.920 the biggest economic event in terms of a sporting event that we've ever had 421 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:30.559 in Southern Nevada's history. Anything real quick, not to interrupt you, but 422 00:29:30.640 --> 00:29:34.240 anything ever even remotely compare well to this. Look you've been here. Yes 423 00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:37.920 there are things that you know, but there are things that last a lot 424 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:41.359 longer. We have things like the National Finals rodeo. If we add up 425 00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:45.000 all, for example, of the UFC fights that happened in the community, 426 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:48.160 big box matches, and granted, do those get to the level of the 427 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:51.559 super Bowl? The answer that question is no, There's no doubt this will 428 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:53.640 be the biggest one. But I mean, we do have a lot of 429 00:29:53.640 --> 00:29:57.000 special events, and those special events have a lot of impact, particularly when 430 00:29:57.000 --> 00:30:00.440 you think about many of them happening than our community in a single year. 431 00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:04.079 But when you asked the question about what is the economic impact, right, 432 00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:07.839 it is about jobs. It is about wages and salaries, It's about economic 433 00:30:07.839 --> 00:30:11.400 output. And from an analyst perspective, those are the things we like to 434 00:30:11.400 --> 00:30:15.359 talk about, right, thousands of jobs, people spending money in our community. 435 00:30:15.519 --> 00:30:18.319 But if we think about it on the individual level, right, already 436 00:30:18.359 --> 00:30:25.599 we're seeing the Business connect program essentially go out and identify businesses that will be 437 00:30:25.680 --> 00:30:29.839 able to work specifically for the NFL on the Super Bowl in the community. 438 00:30:30.039 --> 00:30:33.839 Right, they have already not only just identified literally hundreds of businesses that will 439 00:30:33.880 --> 00:30:37.279 have an opportunity, but I think beyond that, they're laying a foundation for 440 00:30:37.319 --> 00:30:41.359 the future, right, teaching businesses about how to apply, how to be 441 00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:47.279 certified as a women a woman owned a better and owned a minority owned business, 442 00:30:47.359 --> 00:30:49.519 which frankly, it was surprising many people didn't know that, and so 443 00:30:49.599 --> 00:30:53.240 giving them the opportunity not only to work for this project, to work work 444 00:30:53.240 --> 00:30:57.160 for projects going forward after the Super Bowl leaf. So I think that legacy 445 00:30:57.160 --> 00:31:00.680 of impact is important. But if you want to talk about jobs, you 446 00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:03.039 want to talk about wages, salary, you want to talk about economic output. 447 00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:08.319 We are going to have literally over one hundred thousand people. We'll have 448 00:31:08.359 --> 00:31:12.519 three hundred thousand people in town. But you know, and the majority of 449 00:31:12.559 --> 00:31:15.960 them are going to be here because of the Super Bowl. Right. They 450 00:31:15.960 --> 00:31:19.319 come here, they spend money, they eat in our restaurants, they shop 451 00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:23.400 in our stores, they do all those things that is jobs in our community, 452 00:31:23.640 --> 00:31:26.519 right, And so we think about it along those lines. But they're 453 00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:30.559 not your typical visitor either, right. These are visitors that spend more, 454 00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:36.359 they stay longer, and so those impacts are also very significant. And for 455 00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:41.119 that expenditure, it is roughly one job created in as a result of that 456 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:45.480 spending, and then another job that's created outside of our hospitality industry. These 457 00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:49.400 are folks that when I earn a tip or my wage and salary and I 458 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:53.839 go back to my neighborhood and I spend my wages and salary or my tips 459 00:31:53.880 --> 00:31:57.759 in a restaurant or a doctor's office, or I go to a movie, 460 00:31:57.920 --> 00:32:01.279 those are jobs that also been off as a result of that. This is 461 00:32:01.319 --> 00:32:07.000 the reason why communities line up to try and get a Super Bowl to come 462 00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:10.440 to their community, because the economic impact is just so meaningful, not only 463 00:32:10.519 --> 00:32:15.160 when the event takes place, but leading up to and following that event. 464 00:32:15.240 --> 00:32:17.599 That trickle effect is strong. Yeah, we've always talked about this too, 465 00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:22.079 Jeremy, even before the Super Bowl ten fifteen years ago, if you couldn't 466 00:32:22.119 --> 00:32:25.279 go to the super Bowl, the next best place was Las Vegas. We've 467 00:32:25.279 --> 00:32:28.880 always said that's true. I remember how they had the parties, the Super 468 00:32:28.880 --> 00:32:31.319 Bowl parties all around town at that time. Now, before the NFL got 469 00:32:31.359 --> 00:32:36.519 really strict with Las Vegas, you could bring in players, former players, 470 00:32:36.519 --> 00:32:38.480 and they had the super Bowl Party at the Riviera, the super Bowl Party 471 00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:42.599 at the Dunes. Remember all those things. And then now it's even during 472 00:32:42.640 --> 00:32:45.440 the Final four. You get that now. But well, even before Las 473 00:32:45.559 --> 00:32:49.400 Vegas had a Super Bowl, there was an impact in our community related to 474 00:32:49.440 --> 00:32:52.079 the Super Bowl well, no doubt. And as a matter of fact, 475 00:32:52.279 --> 00:32:54.640 I am willing to bet you for the last twenty years we have had more 476 00:32:54.680 --> 00:33:00.039 people in town in Las Vegas for Super Bowl weekend than any market that has 477 00:33:00.079 --> 00:33:05.000 hosted the Super Bowl. Now, let's imagine that level of excitement. We 478 00:33:05.039 --> 00:33:07.599 are the only community in the United States that grew up and was designed to 479 00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:12.400 host people. Now, let's bring that energy and the Super Bowl together. 480 00:33:12.680 --> 00:33:14.920 Get ready, Let's get ready. It's gonna be crazy. Could you. 481 00:33:15.240 --> 00:33:19.720 Let's go back to when David Beckham. Yeah, the David Beckham visited with 482 00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:22.440 Mark Davis over on their UNLB campus and they said, hey, have you 483 00:33:22.440 --> 00:33:25.400 build this helped me build this arena. I'll put the money in and you 484 00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:28.880 put the money in the state and so forth, and it gets done. 485 00:33:29.079 --> 00:33:31.400 Did you ever imagine that Allegiance stateum would have the impact that it's had on 486 00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:36.000 Las Vegas. The answer that question is no, right, I mean, 487 00:33:36.279 --> 00:33:38.799 you know, I mean besides the fact that David Beckham's kind of phenomenon, 488 00:33:38.880 --> 00:33:43.039 right, I mean, he maybe the most beautiful human being I've ever met 489 00:33:43.079 --> 00:33:46.359 in my entire life. My wife is like, what do you mean you 490 00:33:46.440 --> 00:33:50.880 got to be close to David Beckham? Right, that whole thing. Right, 491 00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:53.119 But even when we went through that process, we had this conversation, 492 00:33:53.440 --> 00:33:57.279 right, we estimated, we went through this process of looking at what we 493 00:33:57.319 --> 00:34:00.720 thought it would do for our community, we got about half of what actually 494 00:34:00.799 --> 00:34:05.200 happened there. And you remember all the criticism that we got. Right, 495 00:34:05.759 --> 00:34:08.920 no stadium anywhere in the United States has ever had more than five percent of 496 00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:13.320 the people they came to that stadium from out of town to go that in 497 00:34:13.360 --> 00:34:16.360 a year, Right, last year, Allegiance Stadium did fifty three percent of 498 00:34:16.960 --> 00:34:22.679 the people that attended events, football events and concerts and that were from out 499 00:34:22.679 --> 00:34:25.440 of town. And for some of the big events I'm talking about like Taylor 500 00:34:25.480 --> 00:34:30.880 Swift and I'm talking about BTS and I'm talking about Beyonce, ninety percent of 501 00:34:30.880 --> 00:34:32.800 the out of town visitors said they would not have come to Las Vegas but 502 00:34:32.960 --> 00:34:37.599 for those events being here. And they come into town, right, they 503 00:34:37.599 --> 00:34:40.519 come into town and they stay in our hotels and they eat in our restaurants, 504 00:34:40.559 --> 00:34:44.800 and that economic impact is tremendous. And look, there is no doubt 505 00:34:44.880 --> 00:34:49.199 we want every person in that stadium during a Raiders game to be a Raiders 506 00:34:49.280 --> 00:34:52.159 fan. But if they can't be, if they're not going to be, 507 00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:54.360 then we can look around and we see those Steelers fans, and we see 508 00:34:54.400 --> 00:34:58.719 those Philadelphia fans, and we may not like them, but we like them 509 00:34:58.719 --> 00:35:02.079 in our community. I look around and I see eight hundred dollars, eight 510 00:35:02.199 --> 00:35:06.079 hundred dollars, eight hundred dollars for each one of them. They're coming in 511 00:35:06.079 --> 00:35:07.599 our town and they're spending a lot more than that. But you go to 512 00:35:07.639 --> 00:35:13.800 our steakhouses the Saturday before a football game and they're packed with these people that 513 00:35:13.840 --> 00:35:15.960 are coming to our town and having a great time. And as silly as 514 00:35:15.960 --> 00:35:21.519 I am about it, we love having them in our community because it's what 515 00:35:21.679 --> 00:35:23.800 works, and this is what we do, and our ability to welcome folks 516 00:35:23.960 --> 00:35:28.119 and say, you know, you know, our our favorite team is going 517 00:35:28.320 --> 00:35:31.199 to be the Raiders. But we love having the other teams here in our 518 00:35:31.199 --> 00:35:36.519 community to share our awesome stadium with and to share our awesome community with. 519 00:35:36.719 --> 00:35:38.119 A super Bowl Week is going to be phenomenal here. I M. I 520 00:35:38.199 --> 00:35:43.920 can't and imagine what because, well, do people spend on average more during 521 00:35:43.960 --> 00:35:45.880 Super Bowl Week? Like if I'm gonna come to a game in Las Vegas 522 00:35:45.920 --> 00:35:49.119 against the Niners or I'm gonna come to the Super Bowl, I spend the 523 00:35:49.159 --> 00:35:51.559 same or a lot. Oh no, not at all. As a matter 524 00:35:51.599 --> 00:35:54.039 of fact, it's probably three to five times what you'd see for a normal 525 00:35:54.119 --> 00:35:58.199 visitor. Now, also we have things like ticket costs and those type of 526 00:35:58.239 --> 00:36:00.599 things. But to put it in, but we're talking about hote hell rooms 527 00:36:00.639 --> 00:36:04.519 and more people spend on special events and those type of activities. Let's not 528 00:36:04.559 --> 00:36:07.800 forget that Super Bowl Week is a phenomenon, right, you have all kinds 529 00:36:07.840 --> 00:36:10.920 of business that is going to be done here because of that. Now, 530 00:36:12.079 --> 00:36:15.760 Allegiant Stadium has a practical capacity, right, So it's not like a sold 531 00:36:15.760 --> 00:36:19.760 out game during the regular season is going to have a whole lot more or 532 00:36:19.800 --> 00:36:22.960 fewer people than a sold out game during the Super Bowl. But what it 533 00:36:22.039 --> 00:36:25.960 is is going to be a sold out stadium full of VIPs, right, 534 00:36:27.079 --> 00:36:30.400 and the activity that happens around that. And here's the magic of it. 535 00:36:30.800 --> 00:36:35.000 You and I both know that during a big fight, a big UFC fight, 536 00:36:35.039 --> 00:36:38.400 a big boxing about that, people come that don't even go to the 537 00:36:38.400 --> 00:36:43.320 event. And we're going to have a lot of that. Probably as many 538 00:36:43.320 --> 00:36:45.440 people as go to the super Bowl will be in town, probably more just 539 00:36:45.440 --> 00:36:50.119 based on our estimates, will actually be in town and never actually attend the 540 00:36:50.159 --> 00:36:52.079 game because of all the other special events that are going to be going on 541 00:36:52.360 --> 00:36:55.960 around it. That's magical for us from an economic standpoint, right. And 542 00:36:57.039 --> 00:37:01.199 let's talk about the infrastructure improvements because obviously having no events like this and you're 543 00:37:01.239 --> 00:37:04.599 gonna have to reroute some things, things are gonna have to be changing. 544 00:37:04.679 --> 00:37:07.239 Can you talk to us a little bit about some of that stuff going on? 545 00:37:07.559 --> 00:37:09.880 Yeah, make it more easy for people to get around here, there's 546 00:37:09.880 --> 00:37:13.440 no doubt, right, I mean, roads and those type of things. 547 00:37:13.519 --> 00:37:15.079 We've got a lot of infrastructure going on, right, I Mean it's almost 548 00:37:15.079 --> 00:37:20.639 hard to find a road in our community that doesn't have yellow cones or infrastructure. 549 00:37:20.719 --> 00:37:24.199 But so much of that is the investment leading up to these major events, 550 00:37:24.480 --> 00:37:27.719 right, I mean, we talk about it, and yes, it's 551 00:37:27.760 --> 00:37:30.239 caused some pain for some community. I felt that you've all felt it, 552 00:37:30.320 --> 00:37:35.880 certainly the people that work within the resort corridor have felt it legitimately. But 553 00:37:36.039 --> 00:37:38.599 beyond that, right, when you start to think about the level of investment 554 00:37:38.840 --> 00:37:43.679 that places like Caesars and MGM have put in to build out a different additional 555 00:37:43.719 --> 00:37:47.679 infrastructure within their facilities, improving hotel rooms, doing some of that thing to 556 00:37:47.679 --> 00:37:52.880 be able to move people. We often talk about it about the economic benefits 557 00:37:52.920 --> 00:37:58.159 of the investments that happened before. Something like the Olympics always a great example 558 00:37:58.159 --> 00:38:00.079 of the level of investment that comes in. I'm not saying that we're at 559 00:38:00.119 --> 00:38:04.599 that level, but I'm saying we're not that far away in terms of the 560 00:38:04.599 --> 00:38:08.000 type of trend that's going into our community so that we can all benefit, 561 00:38:08.039 --> 00:38:10.719 and I think the benefits of those things are going to last a lot longer. 562 00:38:10.880 --> 00:38:15.440 Yes, we're going to have roadway improvements. Yes, the folks at 563 00:38:15.519 --> 00:38:20.960 ENDT are actually making modifications to the Tropicana Project, which is hugely important to 564 00:38:21.039 --> 00:38:25.440 us to make sure that as much mobility as possible during these events matter because 565 00:38:25.440 --> 00:38:30.719 what we cannot have happen is have infrastructure be the story around the super Bowl. 566 00:38:30.880 --> 00:38:35.199 What happens on the field should be the number one story, But here 567 00:38:35.239 --> 00:38:37.880 in our community, the economics behind that should be number two, right. 568 00:38:37.960 --> 00:38:39.920 I mean that's a great point. Jarre. Let me ask you, is 569 00:38:40.400 --> 00:38:44.000 you think of all the things that come to Las Vegas, especially this fall 570 00:38:44.119 --> 00:38:47.239 going into the winter, when you have Formula One, the NBA Showcase, 571 00:38:47.320 --> 00:38:52.239 then of course the super Bowl. Is that gonna affect the Super Bowl at 572 00:38:52.239 --> 00:38:55.440 all in terms of numbers that I know that one's mostly international travelers, a 573 00:38:55.480 --> 00:38:59.800 lot of international money coming in there. Will it affect the Super Bowl? 574 00:38:59.840 --> 00:39:01.320 And your opinion at all? What kind of data you see? I don't 575 00:39:01.360 --> 00:39:07.039 think that it does at all. What we've seen is that as we have 576 00:39:07.159 --> 00:39:13.000 grown as a sports market, that has been additive. And here's the other 577 00:39:13.400 --> 00:39:15.880 kind of secret sauce for us, is that when you host your event here, 578 00:39:16.440 --> 00:39:20.880 more people come to your event. So, whether it's an equestrian event 579 00:39:20.920 --> 00:39:25.239 that's maybe taking place at the South Point, whether it's the NBA a summer 580 00:39:25.320 --> 00:39:30.000 league, or the Showcase, whether it's a major boxing match, what we 581 00:39:30.199 --> 00:39:36.760 found is that people come to Las Vegas because the event is happening here more 582 00:39:36.840 --> 00:39:39.320 so than anywhere else in the United States. And so not only do I 583 00:39:39.360 --> 00:39:43.920 believe that it's not going to have a diminishing effect, I think it could 584 00:39:43.960 --> 00:39:46.880 have an additive effect. Now, the asterisk next to that is we have 585 00:39:46.960 --> 00:39:52.119 to perform as a community. We have to deliver on the promise that the 586 00:39:52.159 --> 00:39:54.639 Las Vegas brand knows what it's doing. Mobility needs to be there. We 587 00:39:54.679 --> 00:39:59.559 need to have volunteers that have the right attitude and have the knowledge. We 588 00:39:59.599 --> 00:40:02.519 need to have these businesses show up and make sure that everybody from the players 589 00:40:02.559 --> 00:40:07.400 to the fans to the owners have the best experience here that they've ever had. 590 00:40:07.440 --> 00:40:10.199 We have to deliver on that Las Vegas brand. If we fail to 591 00:40:10.280 --> 00:40:14.599 do that, there will be negative ramifications as a community. So we're not 592 00:40:14.760 --> 00:40:16.079 We're not a guy that's say if I if I'm a guy that says I 593 00:40:16.119 --> 00:40:20.239 have one thousand dollars of extra money, do I want to go to the 594 00:40:20.239 --> 00:40:22.480 Super Bowl? Do I want to go to F one? I want to 595 00:40:22.480 --> 00:40:25.480 do both, but I can't. What are you saying there? This is 596 00:40:25.519 --> 00:40:29.639 this is the beautiful thing, right, This is the beautiful thing for us, 597 00:40:29.920 --> 00:40:32.760 is that you know there's a lot of people in this world that have 598 00:40:34.000 --> 00:40:39.360 somehow if it becomes a choice, right, people make a choice, and 599 00:40:39.400 --> 00:40:44.440 we're seeing it in our community all the time. Right, people save up 600 00:40:44.599 --> 00:40:46.400 to go for the Super Bowl, Like you know, they they say, 601 00:40:46.480 --> 00:40:51.480 look, if my team makes it, I don't care. I'm gonna make 602 00:40:51.519 --> 00:40:53.719 my air. I'm gonna go get it done. And so we'll see that 603 00:40:53.800 --> 00:40:58.280 when we get through the championship games to get us to the super Bowl, 604 00:40:58.400 --> 00:41:00.440 to get us there. But we have a lot of sports fans, right, 605 00:41:00.440 --> 00:41:04.960 and we also have things like Ultimate Sports Weekends. We've got an NFL 606 00:41:05.039 --> 00:41:07.920 game and an NHL game, and we've got NASCAR that we can and we've 607 00:41:07.920 --> 00:41:12.960 got a UFC fight. And yeah, people may not come to all of 608 00:41:12.960 --> 00:41:16.159 those things. They may not come to every concert. That's the beauty of 609 00:41:16.239 --> 00:41:21.000 Vegas. One event doesn't affect the decisions on another bit, and we have 610 00:41:21.079 --> 00:41:23.079 not seen them at all. Yeah, I think Vegas is such a big 611 00:41:23.119 --> 00:41:27.480 town in terms of like first because if you live in Vegas or you've grown 612 00:41:27.559 --> 00:41:30.199 up in Vegas, you want to say I was a part of the first 613 00:41:30.679 --> 00:41:32.360 whatever, right, And I feel like people who have been a part of 614 00:41:32.400 --> 00:41:36.280 the Vegas community forever. They want to add that to their list. Super 615 00:41:36.360 --> 00:41:37.760 Bowl fifty eight, look at how they line up. We open a new 616 00:41:37.760 --> 00:41:43.000 hotel casino right out the door down the street. I want to be a 617 00:41:43.039 --> 00:41:45.199 part of it. And isn't that kind of a cool thing to have in 618 00:41:45.199 --> 00:41:49.760 our community? As we're sitting here right thinking about where we were seven eight 619 00:41:49.840 --> 00:41:52.280 years ago before we even had some of the sports that we have today, 620 00:41:52.679 --> 00:41:57.920 and we're talking about all of the first that we're having and now those type 621 00:41:57.960 --> 00:42:00.920 of things, those investments and things like UFC, the Golden Knights taking a 622 00:42:01.000 --> 00:42:04.960 chance, come here and say talk, you will never work in the desert. 623 00:42:05.199 --> 00:42:08.519 Right, you have allegiant stadium that was constructed and open during a pandemic. 624 00:42:08.760 --> 00:42:12.440 Right, all that kind of stuff. One October and here we are 625 00:42:12.679 --> 00:42:15.519 with all of these amazing first that we're doing here. And again, I 626 00:42:15.559 --> 00:42:20.199 think this community is going to exceed every expectation. You know, I asked 627 00:42:20.239 --> 00:42:22.239 Jeremy this I think was in September our first podcast. Yeah, let me 628 00:42:22.280 --> 00:42:27.960 ask you again and tell our maybe they missed the first podcast. But is 629 00:42:28.000 --> 00:42:30.840 all this sustainable? Well, look, sustainability is always a difficult thing. 630 00:42:30.960 --> 00:42:35.440 My brief answer your question is going to be yes, and why because we 631 00:42:35.519 --> 00:42:37.760 have the ability. We have one hundred and fifty thousand hotel rooms with three 632 00:42:37.840 --> 00:42:44.400 hundred thousand leisure and hospitality and related workers. We have Harry Reid International Airport, 633 00:42:44.400 --> 00:42:46.480 which is about three times five times the size it is needed for a 634 00:42:46.480 --> 00:42:51.519 community like Cards. It is built for our tourism economy and all. This 635 00:42:51.559 --> 00:42:54.760 is what we are designed to do. So from a sustainability standpoint, it 636 00:42:54.840 --> 00:42:59.719 is all about our ability to deliver on the brand. We talk about the 637 00:42:59.800 --> 00:43:02.679 VAGA. We have to deliver on that Vegas brand, and I believe we'll 638 00:43:02.719 --> 00:43:06.239 do it. I think we will, And there's nobody else I don't know 639 00:43:06.239 --> 00:43:08.639 about you, Chris, I gets me more excited than this guy. Cherkey 640 00:43:08.639 --> 00:43:13.280 and Aguero Charger of the Super Bowl fifty eight Executive Committee, thank you for 641 00:43:13.320 --> 00:43:15.840 being here with us, Episode four. We appreciate you. We look forward 642 00:43:15.079 --> 00:43:17.280 for him to come back. Dowi, Chris, I love Hey, Jeremy, 643 00:43:17.320 --> 00:43:21.960 I love the numbers. We all love Vegas and we love the numbers. 644 00:43:21.960 --> 00:43:23.960 And that it's just like you were saying, Las Vegas is special place. 645 00:43:24.239 --> 00:43:27.559 If I have fifty bucks, I'm going to Vegas. If I have 646 00:43:27.559 --> 00:43:29.920 five hundred Bucks. I'm going to Vegas. I'm gonna do both things. 647 00:43:30.480 --> 00:43:36.519 That is exactly right. Thank you so much for having me. Thank you 648 00:43:36.559 --> 00:43:40.400 to the Super Bowl fifty eight Host Committee sponsors, Caesar's Entertainment, inter Mountain 649 00:43:40.440 --> 00:43:45.760 Health, Howard Hughes, and sam Manuel Band of Mission. Indians would also 650 00:43:45.840 --> 00:43:52.280 like to thank our partners MGM Rewards, Allegiant, usc, PNC Bank, 651 00:43:52.639 --> 00:43:54.440 fivo iHeartMedia, and Bank of Nevada