Palms owner George Maloof poses Thursday with Sacramento Kings cheerleaders in a new suite at the resort. The room contains a basketball court and fold-down beds. Photo by Jeff Scheid.
Palms owner George Maloof unveiled his latest playpen Thursday, a suite that includes a basketball court and a Kings' ransom room rate.
For $50,000 a night, it's yours. The cheerleaders aren't a comp. Nor are the butlers.
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Maloof christened the "Hardwood" suite in his new fantasy tower with a party for 400, including the Maloof family-owned Sacramento Kings, 30 cheerleaders and VIP players.
"Helluva room," said Mike Bibby, the Kings' point guard. "That's the fun thing about Vegas; they always come up with something new."
He helped break in the suite with a game of two-on-two with Maloof, teammate Brad Miller and KTNV-TV reporter Christina Brown.
Maloof said he has heard from Hollywood basketball enthusiasts "who want to bring in their posses and play."
SAY IT AIN'T SOSA
Hoo-boy, I got raked over the coals Wednesday by readers suggesting I was way off base about a Sammy Sosa reference.
"If you're going to write about baseball, it might be a good idea to do a little research and see who Sammy Sosa actually played for," sniped a not-so-gentle man, in one of the kinder responses left on my voice mail.
Here's what got so many knickers in a knot: I mentioned that Elton John told his audience Sunday that the Chicago White Sox had just won Game 2 of the World Series with a walk-off homer. Sosa was in the crowd, and I referred to the Sox as "Sosa's former team."
Settle down, folks. I admit I don't bat 1.000, but the fact is Sosa played for the White Sox from 1989 to 1991.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Confirming what we reported here two weeks ago, the Flamingo on Thursday announced that Wayne Newton will star in a holiday show from Nov. 24 to Dec. 23. ...
Hot spots and cool stuff: The Margaritaville Street Party runs from noon to 6 p.m. today, in the street between Margaritaville at the Flamingo and O'Shea's. ...
There are rumblings that pop singer Christina Aguilera has booked her bachelorette party for Saturday at the Hard Rock Hotel's Body English nightclub.
MAY I RECOMMEND...
The Rainbow Bar & Grill, 4480 Paradise Road, has quickly emerged as a hot spot for the late-night crowd. Early birds will find a two-for-one special for the rest of the year on all entrees, 5-7 p.m., seven days a week. My pick: Chicken Francaise, $14.95. For more information: 898-3525.
SIGHTINGS
New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez, catching a late lunch Thursday at Wolfgang Puck's Spago in Forum Shops at Caesars. ... Las Vegas' Alla Wartenberg, hosting a private viewing Thursday night of "The Apprentice" with a party of 75 including a number of cast mates, at the House of Blues in Mandalay Bay. ... Former President Bush, addressing a convention Wednesday inside the Penn & Teller theater at the Rio before flying to Houston for Game 4 of the World Series. ... Steve Wynn, Robert Wagner and Jill St. John, in the Stardust Theater and backstage Wednesday night at the Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme show. ... Comedian Howie Mandel, with friends Wednesday at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab in the Forum Shops.
THE PUNCH LINE
"Because of Hurricane Wilma, thousands of Americans are stuck in Cancun, Mexico. It's funny that the Mexicans are not having a problem getting in." -- Max Alexander, who is opening for comedian George Wallace at the Flamingo Las Vegas.
