The NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, in an attempt to further the franchise’s relationship with MGM Grand, are moving their preseason game tonight from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas to the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
In an article from reviewjournal.com by Steve Carp, the Lakers’ vice president of business operations and the team’s chief marketing officer Tim Harris are quoted as saying about the move: “From a marketing standpoint, we had a deal with the Mirage back in 2004 where we felt we were helping promote the Mirage’s brand in Southern California and the Mirage promoted the Lakers’ brand in Las Vegas.”
The move to MGM Grand Garden Arena seemed like a logical move since the Lakers will already be staying at the MGM.
Harris also spoke about the Lakers taking a page from MGM’s playbook and creating their own customer loyalty perks program similar to Mlife. Harris said of the their own program, “It would enable us to track our fans’ spending habits at Staples Center and offer them specifically tailored discounts and specials while at the game by sending a message to their smartphones.”
As for the MGM, they don’t feel hosting this makes them a slam dunk for getting an NBA team but feel it may lend some credibility. According to Carp, MGM’s president and chief operating officer Scott Sibella said, while it’s too early to speculate, “We’ve got a good relationship with the NBA, and I’m sure having the Lakers and the Clippers play on our properties gives us some equity to an extent.”
Join the Conversation