Friday, July 15, 2005
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

JOHN L. SMITH: Ex-councilman doesn't like Las Vegans losing their shirts in $1 deal

Now this is funny.

Former City Councilman and professional pain in the neck Steve Miller has announced he's printing "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" T-shirts in protest of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority's recent $1 deal with R&R Partners for the rights to the popular slogan.

Marketing honchos Rossi Ralenkotter of the LVCVA and Billy Vassiliadis of R&R embarrass themselves by not crafting an agreement by light of day. Then, LVCVA board member and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman announces he's launching an investigation into the $1 deal.

Now Miller is thumbing his nose at the lot of them by printing T-shirts. I presume he believes the slogan is in the public domain.

An act of vaudeville is more like it.

But, frankly, I think he's right.

Something tells me Vassiliadis & friends have an unprintable slogan reserved for Miller.

Meanwhile, Golden Nugget marketing Vice President Dan Shumny is among the readers who have expressed support for Ralenkotter and Vassiliadis.

Shumny writes, "It might be a good idea to let LVCVA outsource trademark protection and ownership in return for exclusive use and economic benefit. ... Let R&R do the dirty work, that's what they get paid for. Let the LVCVA focus on the never-ending and highly competitive work of running convention centers and bringing tourists to town."

BRUNSON'S BLUFF: For the moment, at least, it appears poker legend Doyle Brunson has folded his attempt to acquire WPT Enterprises Inc. for $700 million. A Ruthian figure in his profession, Brunson made national news when he let on that he and a few friends were prepared to buy WPT, which owns the popular "World Poker Tour" TV series and has played a major role in the skyrocketing popularity of the game.

The sudden withdrawal has led some observers to speculate that Brunson was bluffing from the start.

I imagine there are scores of pretty good players who thought the same thing on the way to losing to Brunson. You could open a chain of men's stores with all the shirts that have been lost to the guy over the years.

CRAZY HORSE CASE: Big decisions coming for the subjects in the Crazy Horse Too case. Word is the topless cabaret's owner, Rick Rizzolo, is attempting to refinance in an effort to keep from losing everything should he soon face indictment in the FBI and IRS investigation of a broad range of suspected criminal activity at his club.

One of my personal favorites is the sudden loss of business judgment, where a suspect sells to an arms' length associate for a fraction of a business' worth.

Another good one is the amicable divorce, where assets are heaped upon a departing spouse in a lopsided settlement.

But playing coy with the government is risky business -- especially in this case, where the IRS is deeply involved.

CHARITY BOWL: Friends of Tina Quigley are scrambling to make Saturday's bowling fundraiser at Sunset Lanes and Casino a success. The fundraiser starts at 2 p.m. and includes a silent auction at the casino, located on East Sunset Road.

All proceeds from the bowling will benefit the Ronald McDonald House charity.

Quigley donated part of her liver to 2-year-old son Aidan in a recent transplant operation at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

FOUL BALL: As an unofficial member of the Lori Harrigan fan club, count me among the masses ticked off that softball will no longer be an Olympic event after the 2008 games.

Harrigan, a hall-of-fame pitcher who starred at UNLV and in the Olympics, is among the new generation of female athletes who deserve to have their sport respected.

ON THE BOULEVARD: Donald Trump graciously thanked his man in Vegas, Jack Wishna, at this week's groundbreaking for the Strip's Trump International project. Without Wishna's patience, the deal wouldn't have been done. É Jimmy Chagra, the one-time Vegas whale who was convicted of drug trafficking and suspected of planning the murder of a federal judge, is said to be writing his memoirs. If he's candid, it could be a hugely interesting book that would reveal plenty about Las Vegas.

Have an item for the Bard of the Boulevard? E-mail comments and contributions to Smith@reviewjournal.com or call 383-0295.