According to a report, Kerry Bubolz, the president of the Vegas Golden Knights expressed their organization’s interest in establishing a PWHL team in Las Vegas.
Earlier in the week, Bubolz told the Las Vegas Review-Journal, “We remain interested in the context of growing the game. If that’s part of growing the game in Las Vegas, we want to be a part of that.”
Bubolz also mentioned to the Review-Journal that he thought Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson would be an ideal venue. The Forum accommodates 5,567 spectators and is currently the home arena of the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights.
There’s no denying the immense success of the PWHL in their inaugural season. From breaking attendance records to performing exceedingly well on social media, the league brought plenty of eyes (and wallets) to women’s hockey.
It’s no surprise that other sports and entertainment markets want in on the success.
While no official talks have taken place regarding the addition of another team to the league, with the addition of Air Canada’s sponsorship and the growing fanbase, I don’t expect it to be long before the PWHL wants to broaden its horizons.
The inaugural season of the PWHL saw six teams participate: New York, Boston, Minnesota, Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto. All geographically close cities. The biggest obstacle Vegas will likely face in becoming a landing spot for a team is how far they are located from the existing teams.
It will likely be a few more seasons until the league is ready to expand, but assuming travel isn’t an issue, I don’t see why Vegas wouldn’t be a strong contender to be one of the first additions.
Interest in women’s hockey is on the rise in Las Vegas. In his address, Bubolz noted that 6,008 children aged 14 and under are registered to play hockey in Nevada, including approximately 400 girls.
On April 7, the junior Golden Knights’ 14U girls team achieved a significant milestone by winning the USA Hockey National Championship. They became the first girls’ team from Nevada to reach this level of competition.
When the Golden Knights (NHL) were founded, there was some speculation about how the sport would perform in the desert. However, they know how to cater to their audience. Hockey in Vegas has become a spectacle and with their recent Stanley Cup, interest may be at an all-time high.
In recent years, Las Vegas has seen significant success, from hosting a record-breaking Super Bowl to preparing for the NHL Draft at the Sphere this summer. Sin City has become an enticing destination for the everyday sports enthusiast.
In a growing market and city that has seen recent success, women’s hockey in Las Vegas could help grow the PWHL even further. Vegas has unquestionable staying power in the sports world. If the PWHL expands its presence there, the city could host events like All-Star games and PWHL drafts, mirroring the NHL, which could significantly boost the league’s growth.
While there is no timeline for the PWHL expansion, when the talks do begin, it’s safe to say Las Vegas will be included in the discussion.
