Sports books in Las Vegas are bracing for a financial hit as NFL owners threaten to lock down players next season unless a new collective bargaining agreement is reached by the March deadline.
Those who run an industry that makes $2.5 billion a year in Nevada are still debating the magnitude of the potential loss.
According to calculations by John Aveello, director of sportsbooks and races at Wynn Las Vegas, the cost of a Las Vegas sportsbook could reach about $850 million if NFL work is suspended during the season.
“I’m concerned about the impact the NFL disruption will have on our businesses,” Avello said. “I hope they solve it and hopefully the cooler guys will win.”
Over the past few years, Super Bowl Sunday has created handles for sports books in Las Vegas that range from $80 million to $95 million. This year’s game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers is expected to close to the $94.5 million mark set in 2006, when the Steelers beat the Seattle Seahawks 21-10.
“If there’s a disruption, we’re going to do something to make up for some of the revenue,” Avello said. “But, that’s something we’re going to have to adjust. We’ve done it before when NFL players go on strike or the NHL is shut down.” 스포츠토토
Jay Conegay, vice president of race and sportsbook operations at Las Vegas Hilton, was more optimistic about the possibility of the two sides reaching a labor agreement.
“It’s beyond our control,” he said. “But I think they’re going to come to an agreement. They’re going to be under too much pressure from the Food and Beverage Association to the White House.”
Kornegei said there is an old saying that applies to the NFL’s labor situation: “Never go on a plane strike at Christmas.” He said he expects the Obama administration to be involved in negotiations because many people depend on the NFL to make ends meet.
