Vegas Grand Prix Cancelled

Below is a copy of the letter I submitted to KLAS Channel 8 in Las Vegas tonight upon learning about the cancellation of yet another sports event in my city. I’m disappointed that Vegas can’t support events like the Grand Prix - and even if we do - the media doesn’t provide an unbiased look. I copied the mayor’s office to express my opinion.

I love Las Vegas, but I wish I would’ve picked another city when it comes to sports.

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Greetings,

Tonight, I watched your 5 pm news to learn about the cancellation of the Las Vegas Grand Prix, and how elated one unfortunate small business was when told of the news. I wholeheartedly disagree, and I’m disappointed that you irresponsibly featured none of the Grand Prix’s positive feedback.

On a personal note, I attended the Grand Prix as a fan, but also as an official race photographer, as well as designing signs and shirts for casino sponsors. While today’s news certainly adversely affects my bottom line - albeit peanuts in comparison to the reported $20,000 per day loss in revenue to the antique shop (which sounds like a sensationally inflated number - I have been there - it’s a great little antique store, not a chic restaurant!).

Downtown is always a passionate polarizing debate among locals, as I’m sure you are aware. Here’s the truth: Any event downtown is a good event. This is no exception. As per usual, the downtown casinos and the ghostlike Fremont Street Experience Front Office, (who benefit from this event) are M.I.A. when an event like the VGP needs support. (To be fair: did you call?) The race was in it’s inaugural year, which undoubtedly will always have some bumps in the road (pun intended). Las Vegas should rise to the challenge and not fold - according to your story - because a small business had parking problems.

This is Las Vegas’ loss. If we truly are to acquire some of the wonderful sports culture that other cities enjoy, locals and businesses need to step up when teams like the Gladiators move to Cleveland (announced last month), and races bail to other cities. I feel that media support plays a role in this - and frankly - owes it to the existing teams, as well as the fans who pay to support them. If you need an example, look no further than Denver for a positive role model. Lower Downtown Denver hosted their first World Series recently, and their first Stanley Cup came only a year into their investment in their downtown.

Regards,

Nate Ludens
Downtown Las Vegas Businessman & Sports Fan