UNLV Football Is Another Hot Team In Las Vegas

Author Mike O'Brian

October 23rd, 2023 5:50 PM

UNLV football players celebrating another win

While the Vegas Golden Knights at 6-0 in this new season, the UNLV football team might be the “other” hot team in Las Vegas! Hard to believe if you’ve lived here for any length of time, but UNLV football is rockin’ right now!

Playing all their home games at Allegiant Stadium, a new head coach and a record of 6-1. UNLV’s only loss on the road at the Big House against Michigan. However, if you ask, the Rebels at least covered so it was really a win for Las Vegas! Let’s face it, isn’t that how we gauge those types of things?

Believe it or not UNLV Football is a hot ticket!

But seriously, UNLV had been the butt of a lot of jokes over the years. However, according to a recent report from Channel 13, most fans are back on board. Very reminiscent of the start that the 1984 Rebels had. That team that had Randall Cunningham was the starting quarterback and that team ended up 11-2.

They won the conference championship that season, however, down the road, it was discovered that the program was littered with ineligible players. They in fact had to give up all those wins that year, but there’s no denying that was an amazing team!

With 6 wins in the books, the current Rebel team is bowl eligible with only five games left. The most notable will be on the road taking on #19 Air Force in Colorado Springs on November 18th.

But with new head coach Barry Odom, the team is in a groove and feelin’ it! And as we mentioned before, playing at Allegiant Stadium has to be a huge lift for the Rebels. New surroundings, fans starting to make it back to the games. Everyone knows Las Vegas LOVES a winner!

So, let the Aces celebrate their back to back WNBA Championship. Gotta love the VGK off to a 6-0 start after winning the Stanley Cup last season. But if you’re looking for football, you’d have to agree that UNLV Football might be the other HOT team in Las Vegas!

Mike O’Brian is the Program Director and Morning Show host on 96.3 KKLZ in Las Vegas, along with Carla Rea. He has been with the Beasley Media Group for almost 23 years. Mike was named one of the “Best Program Directors In America” by Radio Ink magazine. Over the years, “The Mike & Carla Morning Show” have been presented with a number of proclamations for their work in the community and numerous awards. Having lived in Las Vegas for over 35 years, he writes articles on living in Las Vegas, sports, and odd stories happening within the state of Nevada. Mike is the host of the morning show and program director of 96.3 KKLZ/Las Vegas. He has been doing mornings in Las Vegas for the past 38 years. Over the years, he has hosted a numerous amount of community events and has been the P.A. announcer for a number of sports teams in Las Vegas. He has written on living in Las Vegas, the sports teams here, as well as odd & little-known facts about Las Vegas & Nevada.

7 Things Las Vegas Should Know About The Oakland Athletics

So the Oakland Athletics have signed a binding agreement to buy land to build a ballpark in Las Vegas. But before we go any further, we give you seven things you should know about the Athletics if indeed they move here.

Now keep in mind the agreement they signed just says, “yes”, we agree to buy some land in Las Vegas that we might build a ballpark on it. And maybe, if we build the ballpark, we might move and play there!

It’s all apart of a long process on moving a professional sports franchise from one market to another. The land they are talking about is located at W. Tropicana and Dean Martin Drive. A little less than 50 acres of land that would be the site for this 35,000 seat ballpark.

If you think about what used to be there, you remember the Wild, Wild West Gambling Hall & Casino? Well, that was one of the establishments included on the site. Across the street, a row of fast food places that includes McDonald’s, Jack In The Box and more. Cha-ching for them right?

Well who knew this corner lot would be worth a little over $1 billion someday? Station Casinos did, that’s who thought it would be worth $1 billion! Maybe that’s why they bought the Wild, Wild West Gambling Hall & Casino

The Wild, Wild West Grambling Hall & Casino opened in 1974 on that corner and closed last September. Formerly known as the King 8 Hotel & Casino, Station Casinos refurbished the place in 1998 only to tear it down 24 years later.

So this land deal is pending, however, it does increase the chances of the Oakland Athletics moving to Las Vegas. So with that in mind, here’s a bit of history about the franchise. Find out 7 things we think you should know by scrolling down…and enjoy!

#7 THE ATHLETICS ORGINATED IN PHILADELPHIA
The franchise was born in 1901 in Philadelphia. Managed by Connie Mack for the first 50 years, they won the World Series in 1910, 11, and in 1913. Then won it again back to back in 1929 and 30!
#6 THE MOVE TO KANSAS CITY
In 1955, the team made the move to Kansas City. Motivated by money, the owner at the time never really saw the success the team had in Philly. The closest they got to a winning record was in 1958 when the A’s went 73-81.
#5 THE A'S MOVE TO OAKLAND
In 1968, the A’s once again pick up stakes and make the move the Oakland. Playing the in the legendary Coliseum, the franchise win 3 consectutive titles in 1972, 73 and in 1974. After being sold, but remaining in Oakland, the team wins 3 consecutive American League Pennants and the World Series in 1989.
#4 "MONEYBALL"
The movie “Moneyball”, starring Brad Pitt, is based on a true story of how Billy Beane changed the way management ran baseball on the field. Attaining players for what they could do during a game as opposed to the high salaries and star power. Bill Beane is still with the organization to this day.
#3 WORLD SERIES
As a franchise, the Athletics own 9 World Series trophy’s since there inception back in 1901. They won it back in 1910, 11 and in 1913. Then back to back titles in 1929 and 30. In Oakland, winning the World Series in 1972, 73 and in 1974, Then again down the road in 1989!
#2 HOW MANY A's ARE IN THE BASEBALL HALL OF FAME
The Athletics as a team has 37 players in the Baseball Hall of Fame! Former major league pitcher Goose Gossage just one of many that are enshrined in the Hall of Fame representing the Oakland Athletics playing with the team in 1992-1993.
#1 WHY ARE THEY KNOWN AS THE "ATHLETICS"
The team was named after a “gentleman’s club” in Philadelphia where the franchise originated. Back in 1860, there was a amateur team that took the name “Athletics” and it just stuck…so there you have it!