Tuesday, April 30, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.
No matter what happens, the Western Athletic Conference will play its inaugural football championship game at Sam Boyd Stadium. But unless there's an improvement with the venue, there's no guarantee the game will stay in Las Vegas.
Commissioner Karl Benson said he's concerned about the present condition of the stadium, which must be rectified by game day Dec. 7.
"The press box issue is still unresolved," Benson said following the conference's golf outing Monday at Sunrise Golf Club. "They realize we're very concerned about the image of the WAC and we're expecting media from across the nation, especially if the matchup is attractive.
"We expect a facility that will meet the WAC's standards and needs."
Stadium director Pat Christenson said improvements will be made, but they won't be permanent. UNLV officials are waiting to see what happens this summer with Texas developer Paul Tanner's plans to build a downtown domed stadium.
If Tanner does follow through, UNLV has expressed interest in playing its home games there. The WAC likely would follow suit.
"A new football facility would greatly enhance the long-term future of the game in Las Vegas," Benson said. "For now, we're committed to Dec. 7. Beyond that, it's too early to speculate."
The WAC officially announced Monday that the title game will be nationally televised by ABC. The WAC championship game, scheduled for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff, will be part of a conference tripleheader sandwiched between the Big 12 championship and the Southeastern Conference title game.
While the television cameras may be in place, a lot remains to be done before the WAC can showcase its football championship to the nation.
Ticket prices have yet to be set and probably won't be set until late July, when the WAC holds football media day in Las Vegas.
"I think it's important the pricing structure doesn't scare away local fans," Benson said. "There has to be some creative packaging for the people who live in Las Vegas and want to attend the game."
Benson said tour packages have been put together for the competing schools and other WAC members. But with 40,000 seats to fill, Benson said the host city must get involved.
"We need to have Las Vegas be a part of this," he said.
Benson also confirmed the final configuration of the stadium will include 8,000 temporary seats in the north end zone, to be financed by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority at a cost of $250,000.
In February, the LVCVA rejected a plan by Christenson to use the money as part of a $2 million capital improvement project which would have added 6,500 permanent seats along the sidelines as well as a new press box, VIP seating and a new ticket plaza.
"We would have preferred the permanent seating plan that Pat offered," Benson said. "But the Convention Authority has assured us there'll be 40,000 seats. While we realized the stadium wasn't the ideal venue for the game when we made the selection, we're confident the necessary arrangements will be made to have the stadium ready on Dec. 7."
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