Golden Knights fans with visions of a championship parade down Las Vegas' famous Strip, in between the giant castle, roller coasters and a faux Eiffel Tower, may still get their wish regardless if the Stanley Cup is a part of it — but any talk about formalized plans should be considered "premature," according to the team.
Word of the Clark County Commission's plans to throw a parade for the Golden Knights — win or lose — leaked before Monday's Game 4. The team has since worked to distance itself from the idea, saying it was not notified about the Tuesday agenda item to finalize plans.
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“The Department of Public Works did not consult with the team or have any dialogue with the team whatsoever before adding this item to the County Meeting agenda,” the Golden Knights said in a statement. “Upon learning that it was on the agenda, the Golden Knights requested that it be removed.
“Planning related to any kind of parade or team celebration will take place only when it is appropriate. This planning will be led by the Golden Knights. We have not been involved in any planning discussions and will only begin doing so when appropriate.”
Vegas' first major professional sports team is three wins away from completing the greatest and most unlikely championship season in the history of North American sports. Except, they now trail the Capitals 3-1 in their best-of-seven series, a deficit only one team has overcome in the history of the Stanley Cup Final.
Barring such an epic comeback, the shiny silver trophy won't be headed to the Sin City, and throwing a "losers parade" would probably draw a few eye rolls from across the sports world (as if Vegas has ever cared about outside perceptions).
In any event, commission chairman Steve Sisolak said he understood the Knights' concerns and agreed to put further planning on hold.
“I did have it removed from the agenda,” Sisolak told the Las Vegas Sun. “It was premature. They’re focused on playing hockey and not anything else. They're solely focused on playing hockey right now.”
