Class Platform: Virtual Learning

Day/Time: Wednesday, 9 - 10 AM, February 3 - April 14, *10 week class*

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Class Description: Las Vegas has added four professional sports franchises to its roster in quick succession, joining minor league baseball and UNLV’s NCAA Division 1 squads. Our long-standing minor league baseball team has re-branded into the Aviators and set attendance records at its new home field. Suddenly, we have many more games, a new arena and two stadiums, over 250 pro athletes, coaches, and staffers, plus additional media, hype, tax revenue, and exposure for our city. There is a lot going on away from the ice, the court, the pitch, and the $1.9 billion stadium. Can a market this size—with all its uniqueness and diversions—sustain so many teams and events? What’s going to happen now that the Raiders have arrived? Each class, examine the business behind our new and old teams and look at the inner workings that few fans ever think about. See how each team targets both residents and visitors in the Vegas market. Get to know who the local sports business “players” are. We will also discuss the big stories on the national sports business scene.

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Instructor Biographies: With 40 years’ experience in all facets of the sports industry, Doug Verb is one of the country’s most successful executives for new sports and league start-ups. With expertise in strategic organization, media, promotion, event creation/management, mediation, and staff building, he served as a consultant to many sports organizations, agencies, and venues. As founder of ACTION Sports America, he developed and managed sales promotions with all the major pro leagues and college conferences and owns international proprietary products. Verb was part of groups that started three pro sports leagues, was president of pro soccer’s Chicago Sting, and spent 10 years as a TV executive and sportswriter.