When the NHL introduced a hockey team to Las Vegas on June 22, 2016, the move was met with sharp criticism and skepticism. Many people had similar doubts about an NHL team thriving in the "Entertainment Capital of the World."
"HoCkEy DoEsN't BeLoNg In ThE DeSeRt!"
"The arena will be overrun by opposing fans every home game!"
"Las Vegas isn't a good city for a sports franchise! The players will spend their money on hookers and the slot machines!"
Well, critics, here's your bowl of crow. Bon appetit. I heard they don't serve this at the new Vegas Born Bar & Grill.
Bill Foley and the Vegas Golden Knights have proved the skeptics wrong, boasting solid attendance numbers every year. Last season, the Golden Knights were second in the NHL in home attendance capacity (103.6%), falling behind only the Minnesota Wild (103.8%). Everyone knows Minnesota is known for its lakes and hockey. However, Nevada is starting to stake a reputation for the sport.
However, that isn't enough for the Golden Knights owner. Recently, the team hosted "LosVGK en Mexico," a fan fest dedicated to expanding the team's presence globally. They're competing with the Dallas Stars and Los Angeles Kings for the country south of the border. But this is part of an expanded effort to make Vegas more than an American sensation. The goal? Take over the world and be mentioned in the same breath as famous franchises like the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Lakers.
It's not just Bill Foley and the Vegas Golden Knights hosting LosVGK en Mexico, though
When Bill Foley's bid to own and start a hockey team was approved, the goal was bringing the Stanley Cup to Las Vegas in six years. It was seen as an extremely ambitious goal for an expansion team, particularly one being the first major team in its city. Nobody thought he was serious when making that claim.
But he proved his critics wrong, winning the Stanley Cup in 2023. The prophecy was fulfilled and "Cup in Six" was born. Fans became fully invested in the team, with everyone in Las Vegas on board with the Vegas Golden Knights. This started with a miracle Stanley Cup Final run in 2017-18, which caught the NHL world off guard.
As a result, the Golden Knights are going beyond "LosVGK en Mexico" and having more than 800 fans gather in Metepec. It's building a fanbase south of the border through social media accounts, capitalizing on Las Vegas's dominant nature. It's propping up a bar and grill near Gate D51 at Harry Reid International Airport, where foreigners can get a taste of the NHL team.
Planting such seeds does wonders for making the Golden Knights a global phenomenon. It starts with expanding their presence in Mexico, growing the fanbase along the way. It helps when the owner establishes a winning culture, making tough decisions to keep the team relevant. Combined with a solid front office led by Kelly McCrimmon and there should be more international fans in the future.
What's next for the Golden Knights?
It wouldn't be surprising to see the LosVGK en Mexico event become an annual affair, where the Vegas Golden Knights establish themselves in Mexico. Not only does it grow Vegas's presence, but it also makes the NHL more accessible to different countries. However, there should be more ambitions in the future, starting with getting an international game.
Perhaps jumping on the NHL Global Series bandwagon is in the cards. This season, the Buffalo Sabres will face the New Jersey Devils on October 4 and 5 in Prague, Czech Republic. After that, the Dallas Stars will play against the Florida Panthers on November 1 and 2 in Tampere, Finland. The goal for the NHL is to grow the league's presence in these countries, generating more fans.
You can bet Bill Foley wants to jump on this opportunity to grow the Golden Knights name. The owner would expose the franchise to the European continent. Who knows? Vegas might have an NHL regular season game in Stockholm, Sweden. They might even play in Mexico City, where they'll meet thousands of adoring fans.