Like the Brooklyn Draft or the Chicago Draft Combine, the Las Vegas Summer League is an annual event that focuses the league's attention. For several days, observers and scouts have an eye on the courts of the Thomas & Mack Center and the Cox Pavilion.
However, before 2004 and its first edition, this summer league did not exist and if it is now a must for young players and for fans before the new regular season, the beginnings were not perfect.
The city of all vices
The idea for a Summer League in Las Vegas began in the late 1990s. Agent Warren LeGarie thought it was the perfect venue, as the city was already hosting high school summer tournaments.
“Vegas had become a must-see place”he remembers for The Athletic. “It was an opportunity to improve on the court and, at the same time, off the court, we could have a great evening. The coaches thought that a summer league here would be good.”
The NBA still needs to be convinced. Warren LeGarie presents his arguments to the league's vice president, Rod Thorn. Thorn shuts down any possibility because, according to him, with its nightlife, Las Vegas is a dangerous city.
“It obviously caused more problems than it solved.”says Warren LeGarie. “So at first it was a resounding no.”
But the agent doesn't give up. With his partner Albert Hall, they keep the idea in mind, sharpen their arguments and present them again to the league, in 2003. This time, the interlocutor is Adam Silver, the current boss of the NBA, and that changes everything.
“You could make it an event, and more. Vegas was the perfect place because flights could come from anywhere. It was also perfect for the recreational side, family, golf, restaurants… not just casinos and nightlife.”explains Albert Hall. “Silver seemed to have a better idea of what Vegas was like.”underlines Warren LeGarie. “He was aware that the atmosphere of the city had changed.”
A success on all levels
Warren LeGarie discussed it with then-NBA boss David Stern during the 2004 All-Star Game in Los Angeles, and a month later, the Summer League was approved. For the first edition, six franchises were present. For several years now, all NBA teams have participated.
In the early years, a total of around 1,700 fans came to watch the various matches. In 2019, since the 2020 edition was cancelled, there were 12,199 fans per day! “It's a local event”rejoices Warren LeGarie. “People in Vegas are proud to call it home.”
It must be said that for coaches, this multi-day event with young players or recent draftees has a definite advantage. The old summer leagues only lasted a few days, between three and five. The organization for coaches and scouts was therefore costly, for ultimately little time spent with the players.
Finally, economically, this excitement is a boon for the city since the Summer League would bring around 50 million dollars to Vegas.
A springboard for a future NBA team?
Of course, with such success, the organization of this summer league is no longer as light as it was at the beginning. Where Warren LeGarie and Albert Hall had to work for three months to set up the event at its origins, now it is an annual work of eleven months for these ten short days of competition in the middle of summer.
“There is an emotional investment”confides Warren LeGarie. “We've seen our baby grow. It's a source of pride. At first, we knew everyone in the room, and now it's full from the first day to the last.”
Could this success serve as a springboard if the league decides to expand with a 31st franchise or move? The idea is still not validated, but it is constantly present in the news. It hovers and comes back almost every year, as recently with the latest comments from Adam Silver.
“It stimulates us,” explains Albert Hall. “In a way, we built this event like we were an additional team. We set the stage a little bit. We showed that Vegas is more than just a gambling town. It’s a small town but it’s grown. If we could play a big role in the beginning, if we could help, that’s great.”
Article originally published on August 5, 2021
