LAS VEGAS, NV – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen and University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Interim President Chris Heavey hosted a roundtable with representatives from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the Las Vegas Raiders, the Las Vegas Athletics, and the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix to discuss the emerging global hub of sports tourism in Las Vegas. They highlighted the importance of major sporting events for Nevada’s economy and ways to ensure Las Vegas workers are trained for this industry. Senator Rosen also highlighted UNLV’s new Sports Tourism Hospitality Degree Program, which aims to address the growing needs of the sports industry and its workforce.
Las Vegas Sun: Las Vegas sports executives urge federal action on international travel, visa hurdles
- Las Vegas sports industry leaders told U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., on Wednesday that easier travel and a more reliable visa process are key to growing Las Vegas’ sports tourism industry.
- The industry generated $6.27 billion in economic impact in 2025, according to Las Vegas Visitor and Convention Authority data, even as Las Vegas saw a 7.5% drop in tourism — a slump partially attributed to a decline in international visitors stemming from the Trump administration’s tariff and immigration policies.
- “We’re proud to be the home to so many incredible teams, and the destination for major sporting events — all of which contributes to our tourism economy and local jobs,” Rosen said. “Today’s discussion brought together a wide array of leaders to discuss the importance of the sports industry in Las Vegas and how we can all work together to ensure that we can meet all the needs of this sector.”
KSNV Las Vegas: “We’re the entertainment capital…and now, we’re going to be the sports capital”
Anchor: “Today, Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen held a sports roundtable at UNLV. She was joined by representatives from the Raiders, the UFC, Las Vegas Athletics, and Formula 1 as they discussed the growing sports community in Las Vegas. Senator Rosen said sports tourism is growing, which is helping to create more jobs in the Valley as well.”
Senator Rosen: “We’re the entertainment capital. I kind of think we’re maybe a food capital, and now we’re going to be the sports capital, and there isn’t a sport that we won’t entice to bring here. And it is really bringing international visitors. Visitors really from all around the country and all around the world. Why does it matter? And a really fun thing, sports bring us together.”
KVVU Las Vegas: “These are great careers, and we’re going to train them right here at home”
Anchor: “As tourism continues to stumble in Vegas, officials are turning to sport to help the industry rebound. Today, Senator Jacky Rosen joined leaders with local teams to talk about the role sports play in Vegas tourism. Representatives from UFC, the Raiders, the Athletics, and Formula 1 as well, joined the discussion at UNLV this afternoon. The university is adding an undergraduate degree in sports hospitality management this fall to address the needs of the valley’s growing sports industry. Senator Rosen says Las Vegas is becoming a premier sports destination.”
Senator Rosen: “Every week when I’m on my flights going back and forth to work, there are people here during football season and hockey season. They got caps on from every place around the country…Our students will stay; hopefully they’ll stay here, but they will go around the country or maybe around the world. These are great careers, and we’re going to train them right here at home.”
Telemundo Las Vegas: Las Vegas sigue consolidándose como un epicentro mundial del turismo deportivo
Anchor: “Las Vegas sigue consolidándose como un epicentro mundial del turismo deportivo. Y es que la senadora federal Jacky Rosen y el presidente interino de UNLV, Chris Heavy, reunieron a representantes de la UFC, los Raiders, los Athletics y la Fórmula 1 para hablar del impacto de los grandes eventos en la economía de Nevada, desde el boxeo y la UFC hasta el fútbol americano. El béisbol, la Fórmula 1, el deporte generan miles de empleos y miles de millones de dólares para la economía local.”
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