These are the latest professional sports teams struggling to survive in Las Vegas.
Indeed, with the Golden Knights, Raiders and Formula One all setting up camp in Las Vegas, there's plenty of talk around town about the city's emergence as a new sports hotspot.
Let's not forget the Silver Knights, Aces, Desert Dogs, Thrills, Lights, Nighthawks, and even the oldest sports team in Las Vegas, the Aviators, has changed names and venues.
But don't forget the other side of the coin: take a stroll through Las Vegas' professional sports team cemeteries.
Ignition
to be born: 2020
Died: 2024
epitaph: The NBA's developmental minor league basketball team, the G League Ignite, was founded in California in 2020 and moved to Henderson in 2022. The team struggled both on the court and commercially.
Viper
to be born: 2022
Died: 2023
epitaph: A professional football team played at Cashman Field for one season in the revived XFL, with the Vipers averaging just 6,028 attendance, last in the league.
roller
to be born: 2019
Died: 2020?
epitaph: The World Team Tennis franchise played its inaugural season at Orleans Arena before the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the team played its 2020 matches in West Virginia. The team did not play in the shortened 2021 season and WTT has not played a match since.
Locomotive
to be born: 2009
Died: 2012
epitaph: The Locos played in the four-team United Football League and were managed by former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel. They appeared in the UFL Championship Game three times, winning twice.
Wrangler
to be born: 2003
Died: 2015
epitaph: The ECHL franchise played 11 seasons at Orleans Arena, the last one in 2014. The Wranglers' lease at the venue was not renewed and the owners were unable to find a new facility to play in. The team, known for late-night games and other quirky promotions, folded in early 2015. But Las Vegas' hockey drought didn't last long. The Golden Knights began play in 2017, and the Silver Knights followed three years later.
Thunder
to be born: 1993
Died: 1999
epitaph: The Thunder pioneered professional hockey in Las Vegas. The International Hockey League team featured more than a dozen former NHL players and played at the Thomas & Mack Center. Their average attendance of 8,018 was fourth among the IHL's 14 franchises. Their mascot, a polar bear named “Boom Boom,” was a fan favorite.
Outlaws (AFL)
to be born: 2014
Died: 2015
epitaph: The Outlaws had a short and eventful first season in the Arena Football League, finishing their only season in Las Vegas with a record of 5 wins, 12 losses and 1 tie.
Outlaws (XFL)
to be born: 2001
Died: 2001
epitaph: This was Las Vegas' first XFL team and the first to use the name “Outlaws.” They played at Sam Boyd Stadium and finished their only season with a 4-6 record.
Other teams
Las Vegas Dustdevils (Continental Indoor Soccer League, 1994-95), Las Vegas Posse (Canadian Football League, 1994), Las Vegas Sting (AFL, 1994-95), Las Vegas Americans (Major Indoor Soccer League, 1984-85), Las Vegas Seagulls (American Soccer League, 1979) and Las Vegas Quicksilvers (North American Soccer League, 1976-78).
Contact Mark Davis at mdavis@reviewjournal.com.
