Jerry Jones has Las Vegas on edge. The Dallas Cowboys owner has made no bones about his desire to lure major events to his $1.2 billion stadium in Arlington. And Vegas may end up holding the losing hand.
"It's a major threat to Las Vegas," said Norm Clarke, a longtime columnist with the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "There's no sense that this is all talk and big hats. This is the real deal," said Clarke.
Cowboys Stadium was a threat before it was even off the drawing board.
"We've been very aggressive even before we finished construction. We were still in the design and construction process when we started going after the Super Bowl and the NCAA Final Four," said Cowboys spokesperson Brett Daniels.
The stadium has already landed those two events, in addition to several major concerts. But it is the loss of major boxing matches that has Las Vegas in a fighting mood, especially a possible fight between superstars Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather.
"I can't remember anything that's come along that's caused so much angst in the gaming community," said Clarke.
There has also been speculation that the National Finals Rodeo might move to Cowboys Stadium from Las Vegas. The Rodeo's contract with Vegas runs out in 2014. One problem for Las Vegas -- a proposed new arena on The Strip remains nothing but a vacant lot.
But Clarke said it might not be wise to bet against Sin City. "I don't think there's any doubt that Las Vegas will fight and claw to keep those events," said Clarke.
