from Alan Snel of the Las Vegas Review-Journal,

AEG and MGM Resorts decided to spend $25 million more on the arena for a final price of $375 million because they wanted to invest in a more prominent nightclub and lounge spaces at the arena. AEG officials figure it’s worth the investment because the company will cash in on Las Vegas’ growing nightclub scene.

AEG even wants to massage revenue from space on the many outdoor balconies, which could be offered as ticketed spaces for watching music and other events on the plaza that will lead fans from the Strip to the arena entrance, Goldstein said.

Expect all of AEG’s touring acts to stop at the Las Vegas arena, whether Taylor Swift or Katy Perry. All entertainment is up for grabs, even key local events at Thomas &Mack Center at University of Las Vegas, Nevada.

AEG is eyeing the National Finals Rodeo, a key revenue-maker that draws about 180,000 fans to Thomas &Mack during a 10-day period in mid-December. AEG officials believe there is enough land next to the arena to hold the rodeo animals.

Goldstein said AEG looks at the Las Vegas arena as an “agnostic” venue that would help all of Las Vegas’ gaming companies, not just MGM Resorts.

AEG, with its close contacts with the NBA, is also looking at the NBA Summer League (another annual Thomas &Mack staple) as a potential event at its new arena. Fikre envisions an NBA All-Star Game and NBA Draft events at the arena.

Fikre said AEG has talked with groups interested in bringing an NBA or NHL team to the new Las Vegas arena. But Fikre sensed the NBA is no rush to expand or move a team. He said the NHL, with its commissioner, Gary Bettman, visiting Seattle last month, appears to be more interested in adding a team than the NBA.

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