Dice City Sports aims to bring Las Vegas fans as much local sports news as possible, but some stories inevitably slip through during a busy week.
That is where this Sunday column comes in. Each week, we will highlight a handful of Las Vegas sports stories, developments and under-the-radar items worth catching up on, with an eye toward deeper coverage when those stories grow.
Have a team, sport or story you want Dice City Sports to cover? Email markh.dcs@gmail.com.
This week’s overlooked stories stretch from the return of a Las Vegas volleyball team to a $10 million poker win, a national honor for a local youth coach and another round of tourism funding for the Las Vegas Bowl. There is also a Raiders connection at Bishop Gorman, new momentum for UNLV hockey and a fresh class entering the Sports Gambling Hall of Fame at Circa.
Las Vegas Thrill set for comeback under new local owner
The Las Vegas Thrill women’s volleyball team plans to return for the 2027 season. The franchise had previously gone out of business.
Henderson-based sports fan and independent film producer Michael Landier is leading the comeback. The team will return under new local ownership.
Organizers expect to announce more details about the ownership group and coaching structure.
The Thrill previously played at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson. That gives the reboot an established Southern Nevada connection as the organization prepares for a fresh start.
The return would bring another professional women’s team back into the Las Vegas sports market. It also gives the Thrill an unusual second chance after the franchise appeared finished.
22-year-old wins $10 million WSOP Main Event
Lucas Jumalon won the 2026 World Series of Poker Main Event this week in Las Vegas.
The 22-year-old defeated Finland’s Lauri Saaskilahti heads-up to claim the championship and a $10 million prize. Jumalon also became one of the youngest Main Event champions in WSOP history.
The tournament carried a $10,000 buy-in and took place at Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas.
The age of the winner and the size of the payout give the result a strong hook, while the Main Event remains one of the most recognizable competitions on the Las Vegas sports and gambling calendar.
Raiders, F1 Las Vegas join school road-safety effort
The Raiders and Formula 1 Las Vegas have joined a Clark County school road-safety initiative.
The effort follows a deadly school year for local students. Motorists struck 427 students traveling to or from school, including four who were killed.
The involvement of two major Las Vegas sports brands gives the safety campaign a wider platform. The initiative also places both organizations alongside a broader community effort focused on student pedestrian safety.
Bishop Gorman draws Raider’s connection for ESPN showcase
Bishop Gorman will face Christopher Columbus High School of Miami in a nationally televised game on ESPN next month.
The matchup carries a direct Raiders connection. Christopher Columbus is the alma mater of rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Mendoza attended the Miami school before playing college football at Cal and Indiana.
The game gives Bishop Gorman another national showcase while linking one of Las Vegas’ top prep programs to the Raiders’ newest franchise quarterback.
Sports Gambling Hall of Fame adds seven at Circa
The Sports Gambling Hall of Fame inducted its 2026 class Friday at Circa Las Vegas. The ceremony honored seven figures who helped shape the sports-betting industry.
The class includes Bob “Blackie” Black, Steven “Fats” Diano, Richard Klamian, Vinny Magliulo, Mort Olshan, Bill Scott and John Trijonis.
Klamian started as a sportsbook manager at the Stardust before becoming a professional bettor. He later worked with Billy Walters for more than 20 years. Diano also worked with Walters’ Computer Group.
Trijonis helped pioneer statistical sports-betting models. The Hall says Walters used one of his models for NFL wagering.
Magliulo brings 45 years of gaming-industry experience, including work in race and sports operations. The induction ceremony capped Bet Bash and connected Las Vegas betting history with the city’s modern sportsbook scene.
Las Vegas youth coach lands on national award shortlist
Las Vegas-area youth basketball coach Jenn-Jenn Marshall is one of five finalists for the 2026 Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA Community Coach of the Year award.
Marshall is also the only Jr. WNBA coach among the five finalists.
She was leading an Aces Academy camp at the team’s Henderson headquarters this week as recognition for her work continued to grow.
The honor gives Las Vegas a national presence in youth basketball while also connecting the story to the Aces’ local development efforts.
Marshall’s selection adds a community-focused note to the week and highlights a coach working below the professional level.
UNLV’s other hockey team gets ready for another season
UNLV club hockey is preparing for the 2026-27 season, with season tickets already on sale.
The Skatin’ Rebels will open their home schedule Oct. 9. Assistant coach Nick Robone discussed the upcoming season this week as the program begins another year in Las Vegas.
UNLV’s club team operates in a local hockey market that continues to grow. The Golden Knights remain the city’s established NHL franchise, while Las Vegas is also preparing for a new PWHL team.
Dice City Sports plans to begin covering the Skatin’ Rebels during the 2026-27 season, giving the program a larger place in our local hockey coverage.
UNLV center lands on Outland Trophy watch list
UNLV center Austin Boyd was named to the 2026 Outland Trophy preseason watch list this week.
The Football Writers Association of America presents the award each year to the nation’s top interior lineman. UNLV announced Boyd’s inclusion Aug. 3.
The recognition gives the Rebels another preseason honor as they prepare for the 2026 season.
Boyd’s selection also gives UNLV a presence on one of college football’s better-known national award lists before the season begins.
Las Vegas Bowl could receive another $1.5 million
The Las Vegas Bowl is in line to receive another $1.5 million from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.
The tourism board is scheduled to consider the funding at its Tuesday meeting. The money would continue the LVCVA’s use of tourism dollars to support major sporting events in Southern Nevada.
The Las Vegas Bowl remains one of the city’s most recognizable annual college football events.
For now, the funding is still pending board consideration. A Tuesday approval would clear the way for another round of tourism support for the game.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Las Vegas Aces, Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
