Jason Burgos
With the NBA doing big business over the last few years, the idea of expansion is a topic that has gained a lot of momentum. While many American cities would love to get an NBA franchise, Seattle and Las Vegas have long been the favorites to win the sweepstakes.
Well, this week, the pair of cities took another big step closer to that becoming a reality when ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the league’s board of governors will soon hold a vote on exploring the idea of putting franchises in Seattle and Las Vegas starting in 2028.
It is a sure bet that the team in the Northwest will be a revival of the Supersonics. However, the Las Vegas club will need an all-new brand. With that in mind, we offer up some fun, funny, and logical ideas for what a new NBA team in Las Vegas should be called.
Las Vegas Dry Heat
Las Vegas is located near several Nevada deserts, including the Mojave. The arid climate is a major part of living in the city. So why not play to that regional characteristic? Miami already has the Heat because of the hot and humid temperatures in South Florida. Maybe Las Vegas needs to bring the NBA the Dry Heats.
Las Vegas Blackjacks
Las Vegas grew out of the Nevada deserts to become one of the biggest tourist attractions on Earth by being a top destination for entertainment and gambling. It’s likely a new NBA team gets a nickname related to their massively successful casinos. Since blackjack is one of the most popular casino games on the planet, the Las Vegas Blackjacks is a betting favorite to be the club’s eventual moniker.
Las Vegas Sinners
Many major cities around the world have fun nicknames. Las Vegas has one of the best in being called Sin City. The wild things that go down there are why locals have long used the phrase, “what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” Why not play to that popular name and go with the Las Vegas Sinners? The logo featuring a cute devil with a basketball could turn their merchandise into some of the most popular in sports.
Las Vegas Bighorns
Sports fans are used to their favorite teams having animal names. Las Vegas may be no different. That is why one local mammal that could end up on their jerseys is the bighorn sheep. The bighorn is the official state animal and could be turned into a pretty fearsome-looking team logo.
Las Vegas Gamblers
As mentioned before, the casino business is what has turned Las Vegas into one of the top cities in the United States. So let’s not shy away from that fact and consider the Gamblers as a potential name for the team. Oddly enough, they wouldn’t be the first major pro sports team to have that name because one of the UFL’s current franchises is the Houston Gamblers.
Las Vegas Sidewinders
Going back to the idea of animals being used as the name of the city’s new NBA team, another interesting option would be the sidewinder. The snake is famous for the “S-shaped” sideways movement it makes across the dunes in the Mojave Desert. Similar to how a star player would need to make their way through an opposing defense. Snakes are great for logos, and this new franchise would corner the market for them in the NBA.
Las Vegas Strippers/Strips
Even if you don’t live in the city, people around the US know about the Las Vegas strip. Why not play up that facet of the town and call the team the Las Vegas Strips or Strippers? It’s certainly different than anything else we see in pro sports, and for a fanbase mostly dominated by men, maybe the name might bring some positive thoughts about certain after-work pastimes.
Las Vegas Jackpots
As mentioned before, this new franchise getting a casino-related name is a strong possibility. If the eventual owners of the club don’t like the Gamblers or Blackjacks, the Jackpots could be another option. Slot machines are one of the most popular casino games in the world, and who doesn’t love a jackpot?
Las Vegas 702s
In an era where people love to represent where they are from by throwing out their city’s area code, another name possibility would be the 702s. Sports fans are familiar with the 76ers and 49ers, so a number for the name isn’t unusual. Furthermore, repping all of the city instead of certain elements of it, or the state, would be a refreshing way to approach a team name.
Las Vegas LeBrons/Bronnys
It is no secret that there is a real possibility that LeBron James could be the owner of the NBA’s new franchise in Las Vegas. And he understands the massive value of his brand and unique name. He even slapped it on his son, Bronny, and got the Lakers to draft him a year ago. Maybe he takes things a bit further and puts it on the team he owns. The Las Vegas LeBrons would be equal parts unique and hilarious.
