From Formula 1 to Las Vegas hot spots: Pay millions for your race view or we'll block it
Formula One executives have informed all Las Vegas restaurants and nightclubs ahead of the upcoming Grand Prix circuit that they will have to pay a $1,500 per person licensing fee, the New York Post reports. If they do not do this, their view will be blocked by barricades, bleachers, light supports and other obstructions.
For a club or venue with a fire-safe capacity of 2,000 people, if they happen to have a roof, patio, or even just a window facing the racecourse, the ransom is as high as $3 million.
Sources told The Washington Post that a sales representative for Renee Wilm, CEO of the Las Vegas Grand Prix and chief legal officer of billionaire John Malone’s Liberty Media, even threatened to not attend. The viewing area of the venue where the game was played was lit up.
The Las Vegas Grand Prix will run 3.8 miles through the heart of the Las Vegas Strip from November 16-18. Saturday's big race and main event are expected to attract up to 300,000 F1 fans, who will pay an average of $6,651 for a three-day package. That’s nearly 50% more than the $4,600 price of this year’s Miami Grand Prix in May, according to a study by the website kingcasinobonus.uk.
Letter Rules
The Post claims to have reviewed the letter, which was sent to venues near the racetrack, such as Planet Hollywood and Back Tap Craft Burgers and Beers. It said: "The Las Vegas Grand Prix will make reasonable efforts to maintain visibility from the licensee venue to the track/race." The implication is that F1 will "not" make reasonable efforts to maintain visibility from the licensee venue to the track/race. to maintain the visibility of venues without licenses.
"Telling people who have spent billions on their properties that you're going to close the Strip to construction and then asking them to pay for seats, you've crossed the line," the newspaper quoted a person familiar with the matter as saying. A certain bottom line.”
The threat does not apply to game-oriented rooms at Wynn or Venetian hotels, as the two resorts have paid between $2 million and $10 million each as official game sponsors. However, the Washington Post said Formula 1 "still requires some of its restaurants to pay licensing fees."
Since most of the track isn't built until two weeks before the big event, there's still plenty of time to experiment with the game.
Flyover problem
Maverick Helicopters is a company that does not require a license fee to view the route. The travel vertical company last week announced a range of experiences for F1 fans at a price lower than most grandstand seats.
Experiences available Nov. 15-18 include a one-way 12-minute Vegas Victory Lap Skywalk for $199, and a sunset tour for $829 that also includes a stop at the Grand Canyon.
The problem is that the final tour starts at 8pm, two hours before the Grand Prix starts on Saturday 18 November.
To book a flight, visit the Maverick Helicopters website.
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Source: www.casino.org
