Does anyone know why station casinos don't build a venue and host UFC events?
Not only would they not have to pay MGM, they would also get increased revenue through casino patronage.
I know they aren't in the best of locations. But wouldn't this draw people to their casino?
Plus couldn't they design a venue which is even better equiped to take the octagon, eg the ability for tiered seating closer.
I like the MGM, I think it's a better location which probably answers my question, although at the same time I've never been to a station casino. Although I'd sure as fuck go to a station casino if that's where the fights were, and probably drop some coin at the tables too. 
Thought I heard something a while back of them buying land out in Vegas to build a really nice facility, thought it was to hold UFC events, maybe a casino too, don't remember the details.
But imagine a spot to hold events, have a hotel, and UFC gym, and possibly hold Fan Expos you name it all under 1 location.
If it comes to reality I could see it being Amazing! Tourist and Fan attraction. Good business for sure, thought the cost of the land and the build would obviously be extremely high. But I bet it pays off for sure. :) 
Needlemover - Does anyone know why station casinos don't build a venue and host UFC events?
Not only would they not have to pay MGM, they would also get increased revenue through casino patronage.
I know they aren't in the best of locations. But wouldn't this draw people to their casino?
Plus couldn't they design a venue which is even better equiped to take the octagon, eg the ability for tiered seating closer.
I like the MGM, I think it's a better location which probably answers my question, although at the same time I've never been to a station casino. Although I'd sure as fuck go to a station casino if that's where the fights were, and probably drop some coin at the tables too.
They don't have a property on the strip, closest thing would be Palace Station and they won't build an arena over there. I know at one point they did own or were about to buy some land down by the M on the southern most part of the strip but you are talking 10-15 years minimum till that's a viable option as there just isn't much development down there. You will see development on the N part of the strip up to Sahara in the next few years and then maybe they will go south. They are building resort world or whatever that is called. Some Australian guy is building something next door and you got Fountain Blue which never opened. After that you will see Circus Circus sold or MGM will level it and build something new as it's about 200 acres from what I recall which could make for a HUGE development.
I think the next property you will see Stations build is on 215 and Durango which is SW part of the city but that won't be for a few years and no arena will go there.
As far as MGM goes, they pay the UFC A LOT of money to host their events. UFC does not pay them which is why Stations is in no rush to build it's own venue..
Ben Saunders - Thought I heard something a while back of them buying land out in Vegas to build a really nice facility, thought it was to hold UFC events, maybe a casino too, don't remember the details.
But imagine a spot to hold events, have a hotel, and UFC gym, and possibly hold Fan Expos you name it all under 1 location.
If it comes to reality I could see it being Amazing! Tourist and Fan attraction. Good business for sure, thought the cost of the land and the build would obviously be extremely high. But I bet it pays off for sure. :)
To my knowledge they haven't purchased anything besides the parcel of land on Jones and 215 which is a few miles West of the strip/15.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/business/commercial-real-estate/owner-ufc-buys-land-parcels-new-global-headquarters
This will be the new HQ for the UFC so you will get all or basically all the current locations merged into one giant property. Besides employees working there I know they are building a gym for employees and a top of the line rehab facility for fighters there. I assume the TUF gym will be moved to this location as well and most likely be the home of the physical UFC HOF.
It won't have any events there though besides TUF seasons from the gym.
Ben Saunders - Thought I heard something a while back of them buying land out in Vegas to build a really nice facility, thought it was to hold UFC events, maybe a casino too, don't remember the details.Disneyland for MMA fans!
But imagine a spot to hold events, have a hotel, and UFC gym, and possibly hold Fan Expos you name it all under 1 location.
If it comes to reality I could see it being Amazing! Tourist and Fan attraction. Good business for sure, thought the cost of the land and the build would obviously be extremely high. But I bet it pays off for sure. :)
The MGM is building a new arena as we speak.
The MGM - AEG Arena is a $350 million, 20,000 seat indoor arena under construction on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The arena will be owned and operated by the Las Vegas Arena Company,[5][6] a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and AEG Live.
The arena will be accessed by a new development project known as "The Park", with retail and dining space between New York-New York and the Monte Carlo casino hotels.[7][8][9] The arena is expected to be completed by early 2016.
Sinful1 - The MGM is building a new arena as we speak.
The MGM - AEG Arena is a $350 million, 20,000 seat indoor arena under construction on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. The arena will be owned and operated by the Las Vegas Arena Company,[5][6] a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and AEG Live.
The arena will be accessed by a new development project known as "The Park", with retail and dining space between New York-New York and the Monte Carlo casino hotels.[7][8][9] The arena is expected to be completed by early 2016.
UFC was also told by MGM that they will get to hold the first ever event there. I don't expect all UFCs in Vegas to be held at the venue but I think the 4th of July cards, NYE card and Super Bowl card will. Possible a few others but those 3 for sure. UFC 200 will be there, that's almost a given.
I live right next to the arena and can walk there, it's almost done. I know rumors are we are getting the AZ Coyotes NHL team to play there but those aren't confirmed yet. Also rumors of a NBA team coming to town but I don't believe that one.
Why pay several hundred million dollars to build, 10's of millions to maintain, and endure the headache of having a property that size in your portfolio when there's a fantastic world-class venue just up the street that wants to pay you for the privilege of hosting your events?
Spinning Shit - Why pay several hundred million dollars to build, 10's of millions to maintain, and endure the headache of having a property that size in your portfolio when there's a fantastic world-class venue just up the street that wants to pay you for the privilege of hosting your events?
Additionally there have been historically huge boondoggle constructions in Vegas over the past few years that are valued at billions of dollars and have gone bankrupt. There's no reason for the UFC to expose themselves to that risk especially when the alternative is so conducive for them. Cool idea but not practical.
Willin -Spinning Shit - Why pay several hundred million dollars to build, 10's of millions to maintain, and endure the headache of having a property that size in your portfolio when there's a fantastic world-class venue just up the street that wants to pay you for the privilege of hosting your events?
Additionally there have been historically huge boondoggle constructions in Vegas over the past few years that are valued at billions of dollars and have gone bankrupt. There's no reason for the UFC to expose themselves to that risk especially when the alternative is so conducive for them. Cool idea but not practical.
I think people are talking about stations doing it and not the UFC. Either way though, you make a good point that it's not worth the risk. I know there was rumors of Stations building a HUGE project like City Center across the freeway from City Center where In N Out is and wild wild west is but that would have failed IMO and luckily they didn't build it. If they did, they would have had the arena IMO if they didn't lose it in bankruptcy.
If you spend that much money to build something, it wouldn't be financially wise to then hold events anywhere else. Then they would be able to have events in other cities, or countries. Of course they could, but it's like if you bought a vacation home. You're gonna do most of your vacations at that place and not venture out nearly as much.
*wouldn't be able to
There is a Garreth Davies interview with Lorenzo where he talks about this calling it the Zuffa Dome and running Boxing and MMA events. Lorenzo basically says it's cheaper and easier to rent venues but if the right deal was there maybe.
Sub good read.
Thanks for the awesome replies everyone.
Excellent suggestion. The Ferrtita brothers already own the Station Casino chain, it would make sense to build an arena at them to host MMA events.
Stations casinos solidly and very intentionally operates in a way that does not cater to tourists and the 'UFC BRO!' crowd...
I could see Zuffa doing some UFC themed development but Stations properties are not 'woohoo vegas baby' douchevilles
If it ain't Dutch, it ain't much -You know a lot about VegasNeedlemover - Does anyone know why station casinos don't build a venue and host UFC events?
Not only would they not have to pay MGM, they would also get increased revenue through casino patronage.
I know they aren't in the best of locations. But wouldn't this draw people to their casino?
Plus couldn't they design a venue which is even better equiped to take the octagon, eg the ability for tiered seating closer.
I like the MGM, I think it's a better location which probably answers my question, although at the same time I've never been to a station casino. Although I'd sure as fuck go to a station casino if that's where the fights were, and probably drop some coin at the tables too.
They don't have a property on the strip, closest thing would be Palace Station and they won't build an arena over there. I know at one point they did own or were about to buy some land down by the M on the southern most part of the strip but you are talking 10-15 years minimum till that's a viable option as there just isn't much development down there. You will see development on the N part of the strip up to Sahara in the next few years and then maybe they will go south. They are building resort world or whatever that is called. Some Australian guy is building something next door and you got Fountain Blue which never opened. After that you will see Circus Circus sold or MGM will level it and build something new as it's about 200 acres from what I recall which could make for a HUGE development.
I think the next property you will see Stations build is on 215 and Durango which is SW part of the city but that won't be for a few years and no arena will go there.
As far as MGM goes, they pay the UFC A LOT of money to host their events. UFC does not pay them which is why Stations is in no rush to build it's own venue..
MattyJ -That's because there's only like 8 things to do in Vegas (and 4 of them are digging holes in the desert).If it ain't Dutch, it ain't much -You know a lot about VegasNeedlemover - Does anyone know why station casinos don't build a venue and host UFC events?
Not only would they not have to pay MGM, they would also get increased revenue through casino patronage.
I know they aren't in the best of locations. But wouldn't this draw people to their casino?
Plus couldn't they design a venue which is even better equiped to take the octagon, eg the ability for tiered seating closer.
I like the MGM, I think it's a better location which probably answers my question, although at the same time I've never been to a station casino. Although I'd sure as fuck go to a station casino if that's where the fights were, and probably drop some coin at the tables too.
They don't have a property on the strip, closest thing would be Palace Station and they won't build an arena over there. I know at one point they did own or were about to buy some land down by the M on the southern most part of the strip but you are talking 10-15 years minimum till that's a viable option as there just isn't much development down there. You will see development on the N part of the strip up to Sahara in the next few years and then maybe they will go south. They are building resort world or whatever that is called. Some Australian guy is building something next door and you got Fountain Blue which never opened. After that you will see Circus Circus sold or MGM will level it and build something new as it's about 200 acres from what I recall which could make for a HUGE development.
I think the next property you will see Stations build is on 215 and Durango which is SW part of the city but that won't be for a few years and no arena will go there.
As far as MGM goes, they pay the UFC A LOT of money to host their events. UFC does not pay them which is why Stations is in no rush to build it's own venue..