Aug 6, 2014 | Breaking News, Community Relations, Entertainment, General News, Sports
Mohegan Sun Arena to become home field for the former Philadelphia Wings in the National Lacrosse League
UNCASVILLE, CT (August 6, 2014) – Mohegan Sun and the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority (MTGA) announced today it has purchased half of the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). The team will relocate to Uncasville, CT and will begin play in December at Mohegan Sun Arena.
This is the second professional sports team acquired by the Mohegan Tribe and MTGA, which has owned the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA since 2003. It is the second current ownership group of Native American descent in the NLL, which is committed to honoring both the culture and history of the game which was founded by Native Americans over 700 years ago.
“The Mohegan Tribe is thrilled to be associated with a game with centuries-old roots with the Eastern Woodland Indians,” Kevin Brown “Red Eagle” said. “By bringing the lacrosse team to our reservation land, we are not only creating a tie with the past, but bringing the game into an exciting future with our top-notch sports and entertainment team. We are aiming to create a team and community spirit to match what we have been able to achieve with the Connecticut Sun.”
“We are equally excited about partnering with Mohegan Sun and the MTGA,” team president and co-owner Michael French said. “The New England market for lacrosse for both men and women has been expanding at a phenomenal pace. We have a great nucleus of proven players, strong leadership in our locker room and a very experienced coaching staff. We look forward to bringing all of this energy to Mohegan Sun Arena.”
The franchise name will be announced at a later date. The team will be a member of the NLL East Division, joining the Buffalo Bandits, Minnesota Swarm, Rochester Knighthawks and Toronto Rock. Teams in the NLL West Division are the Calgary Roughnecks, Colorado Mammoth, Edmonton Rush and Vancouver Stealth. NLL teams play an 18 game regular season schedule from December through April, with all games being played on weekends.
“On behalf of the entire NLL, we are proud to welcome the Mohegan Tribe as owners, further re-connecting our league with the rich roots of the game,” said NLL Commissioner George Daniel. “We are also excited about the prospects of bringing the NLL to Connecticut and greater New England for the 2015 season.”
Each NLL team features a 20 man active roster with up to four additional practice squad players. The current roster will remain intact for the new franchise. A total of 18 players, 16 runners and two goalies dress for each game with up to six players per team allowed on the floor during play. NLL games feature four 15-minute quarters as well as a sudden-death overtime period if tied at the end of regulation play.
Professional indoor lacrosse combines the physical play of hockey with the high-scoring, fast-paced and play-making style of basketball. Indoor lacrosse is played on turf often inside the confines of an ice hockey rink with glass and rink boards intact. Teams combine to score an average of 23 goals during an NLL game.
About Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to three unique casinos, a 34-story, 1,200 room luxury hotel, a world-class spa and golf course, over 75 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and view us on YouTube.
About National Lacrosse League
Founded in 1986, the National Lacrosse League ranks third in average attendance for professional indoor sports worldwide behind only the NHL & NBA. The NLL is comprised of nine franchises across the United States and Canada. The Rochester Knighthawks were crowned 2014 NLL Champions to complete the league’s 28th season. For more information, visit NLL.com or find the NLL on Facebook and Twitter.
Aug 6, 2014 | Entertainment, General News, Special Events
Coolio, Sugar Hill Gang, Lisa Lisa, Doug E. Fresh, Das EFX and more take the stage on Saturday, November 8th; Tickets on sale Saturday
Let Freestyle & Old School Extravaganza take you back featuring your favorite 80s & 90s acts including Lisa Lisa, Sugar Hill Gang, Coolio, George Lamond, Doug E. Fresh, Nocera, Das EFX, Coro, Noel, Giggles, Lisette Melendez, Lil Suzy and David Torres. Don’t miss the night of old school fun at Mohegan Sun Arena on Saturday, November 8th, starting at 8:00pm.
Tickets are $78.00 and $58.00 and go on sale Saturday, August 9th through Ticketmaster at 10:00am. Ticketmaster customers may log on to ticketmaster.com; call Ticketmaster’s national toll free Charge By Phone number 1.800.745.3000; or visit any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets will also be available at the Mohegan Sun Box Office starting Sunday, August 10th subject to availability. More details are available at mohegansun.com/entertainment as well.
*Artists are subject to change.
Mohegan Sun Arena is ranked 3rd in the U.S. and 5th in the world by Billboard Magazine and was the 2008 and 2010 recipient of a Country Music Award for “Casino of The Year.” Venues Today also ranked Mohegan Sun Arena #3 in the Nation and #3 in the World for top stops in 2013 and also ranked the Arena in the top six of “Top Stops of The Decade” in 2012. For more information on concerts and other great events at Mohegan Sun, visit mohegansun.com. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711, ext. 27163.
Aug 4, 2014 | Entertainment, General News
The Arena’s powerhouse calendar so far in 2014 also helped boost the venue to #37 for all Arenas worldwide, In Pollstar Magazine’s mid-year rankings
UNCASVILLE, CT (August 4, 2014) – In Pollstar Magazine’s recently released mid-year report, Mohegan Sun Arena comes in ranking 11th for all Arenas in the U.S., regardless of size. Mohegan Sun Arena currently sits ahead of other big music venue forces such as The Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA, The Prudential Center in Newark, NJ and Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN. All of whom have capacities over 18,000.
“It’s quite an accomplishment and one that so many people here at Mohegan Sun deserve to celebrate. A ton of hard work goes into making Mohegan Sun Arena one of the most popular and attractive entertainment venues in the world. To continue to be in the company of places like the Sprint Center, Wells Fargo Center and Madison Square Garden feels tremendous, especially when you factor in how much larger some of these places are.” said Tom Cantone, Senior Vice President of Sports & Entertainment for Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority.
Mohegan Sun Arena continues to build off of an amazing 2013 where Prince rounded out the concert calendar with three consecutive highly crowd pleasing shows in late December. The venue also was named “Best Arena of the Year” at the 2013 G2E Global Gaming Conference’s Casino Entertainment Awards as well as “Casino of the Year” for 2013, by the Academy of Country Music.
Being the 37th ranked venue for all Arenas in the world by Pollstar is something Mohegan Sun is extremely proud of as well. An amazing calendar thus far through 2014 included some of the most high-profile global touring acts around. Some of which brought in performances by Jay Z, The Killers, Hunter Hayes, Cher, Bruce Springsteen, Justin Timberlake, Boston, Lady Gaga, Kings of Leon, Luke Bryan, Michael Bublé, Queen + Adam Lambert, Darius Rucker, Katy Perry, Lady Antebellum and Imagine Dragons.
*All figures are based off of tickets sold worldwide as reported to Pollstar for shows played between January 1, 2014 through June 30, 2014.
Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat capacity venue which is now consistently ranked among the top venues in the world according to Billboard Magazine, Pollstar and Venues Today. It has won “Casino of The Year” at the Country Music Awards in 2008 & 2010 and in 2013, was voted “Arena Of The Year” at the G2E Global Gaming Conference in Las Vegas. Also in 2013, Mohegan Sun won “Casino of The Year” in 2 categories at the Academy of Country Music Awards. For more information on concerts and other great events at Mohegan Sun, visit mohegansun.com. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711, ext. 27163.
Aug 1, 2014 | Entertainment, Special Events, Sports
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced today that it will hold the Hall of Fame Women’s Holiday Showcase o
n Sunday, December 21st at 5:00pm at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. The defending national champion University of Connecticut will take on UCLA in a game to be televised nationally by ESPN2.
Tickets are $100.00, $25.00 and $12.00 and go on sale Monday, September 15th at 10:00am through Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster customers may log on to ticketmaster.com; call Ticketmaster’s national toll free Charge By Phone number 1.800.745.3000; or visit any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets will also be available at the Mohegan Sun Box Office starting Tuesday, September 16th subject to availability.
“It is very exciting to announce the first Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Holiday Showcase at Mohegan Sun Arena,” said John L. Doleva, President and CEO of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. “We are honored to bring two well-respected women’s basketball programs to compete and appreciate the continued support and partnership of Mohegan Sun.”
The Huskies hold a 2-0 in the all-time series between these two squads. UConn defeated the Bruins, 113-102, on November 17, 1998 in Los Angeles and by a 106-64 score on December 23, 1999 in Connecticut. The 102 points scored by UCLA in the first meeting is tied for the highest point total the Huskies have ever surrendered to an opponent. “It is an honor to be a part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Holiday Showcase,” UCLA Head Coach Cori Close said. “To be able to play the reigning national champions in Connecticut will be a huge challenge but also a great opportunity. You couldn’t pick a better arena and the state of Connecticut is very passionate about its basketball, so we are very excited to be in this event.”
“I am thrilled to be competing in an event sponsored by the Naismith Memorial Hall ofFame for a second-straight season,” UConn head coach Geno Auriemma said. “UCLA is going to be much improved this season and this matchup promises to be an exciting one. Mohegan Sun Arena is a fun place to play and I am happy that our fans in southeastern Connecticut have this opportunity to come watch us play in their backyard.”
About the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame:
Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the city where basketball was invented, the NaismithMemorial Basketball Hall of Fame promotes and preserves the game of basketball at every level – professional, collegiate, men and women.
For more information:
Visit us on the web: www.hoophall.com
… on Facebook: www.facebook.com/BBHOF
… on Twitter: @hoophall
… or call 1.877.4.HOOPLA
About Mohegan Sun:
Mohegan Sun Arena is now ranked consistently among the top venues in the world according to Billboard Magazine, Pollstar and Venues Today. It has won “Casino of The Year” at the Country Music Awards in 2008 & 2010 and in 2013, was voted “Arena Of The Year” at the G2E Global Gaming Conference in Las Vegas. Also in 2013, Mohegan Sun won “Casino of The Year” in 2 categories at the Academy of Country Music Awards. For more information on concerts and other great events at Mohegan Sun, visit mohegansun.com. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711, ext. 27163.
Basketball Hall of Fame Media Contact:
Natalie Caldwell, Position Sports
(480) 652-0097
[email protected]
Jul 28, 2014 | Entertainment, General News
Live at Mohegan Sun on Sunday, November 2nd
Classic vocalist and American Pop icon Frankie Valli will bring his hits “Big Girl’s Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Rag Doll,” “Who Loves You,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Working My Way Back To You,” plus countless more to Mohegan Sun Arena this fall. The show is booked for Sunday, November 2nd and starts at 7:00pm.
Tickets are $35.00 and go on sale Friday, August 1st through Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster customers may log on to ticketmaster.com; call any Ticketmaster Charge by Phone number; 1.800.745.3000 or visit any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets will also be available at the Mohegan Sun Box Office starting Saturday, August 2nd subject to availability.
There’s something about Frankie Valli’s music that makes young people of every generation want to get up and dance. Amid the Disco era, the Seasons hit it big with “Who Loves You,” which reached #3 in 1975, and “December 1963 (Oh, What a Night), a No. 1 record in 1976. On the other side of the Atlantic, “You’re Ready Now” and “The Night,” which didn’t do anything in the U.S., emerged from dance clubs in the north of England to become huge hits in Europe. Two decades later, in 1994, a dance club remix of “December 1963” climbed to #14 in the U.S. on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2000, a French-language rap version of “December 1963” went to #1 in Paris. And a few years ago—a remix of the Four Seasons’ 1967 hit “Beggin’ ” became the #1 dance record in Britain.
Valli and the Four Seasons have influenced many other great recording artists. For example, from Barry Gibb: “Frankie Valli to me has become one of the hallmark voices of our generation. From the deepest emotions of his real voice to the power of his falsetto, he created a style that we all still strive to emulate.” From Billy Joel: “I wrote ‘Uptown Girl’ as the flip side to the story of ‘Rag Doll.’ I always loved that record.” And from Brian Wilson: “In the early ’60s the Four Seasons were my favorite group. I thought they were fantastic. The voice blend was fantastic. The competition helped me to get cracking. It inspired me, because they made good music. I went to the piano thinking I could top their music.”
Mohegan Sun Arena is now ranked consistently among the top venues in the world according to Billboard Magazine, Pollstar and Venues Today. It has won “Casino of The Year” at the Country Music Awards in 2008 & 2010 and in 2013, was voted “Arena Of The Year” at the G2E Global Gaming Conference in Las Vegas. Also in 2013, Mohegan Sun won “Casino of The Year” in 2 categories at the Academy of Country Music Awards. For more information on concerts and other great events at Mohegan Sun, visit mohegansun.com. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711, ext. 27163.
Jul 22, 2014 | Entertainment, General News, Sports
Kongo Back In Action, King Mo Returns & Lashley Debuts
Bellator delivers a night of must-see fights for MMA fans featuring some of the most exciting fighters in the sport as Pat Curran, Patricio Pitbull, King Mo, Cheick Kongo & Bobby Lashley return to action on Friday, September 5th from Mohegan Sun Arena live on Spike TV.
Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.com, Bellator.com or by visiting the Mohegan Sun Box Office.
The night will be headlined by a Featherweight Title fight between two of the very best in the sport as reigning Bellator Champion Pat Curran defends his belt against Brazilian striker Patricio Pitbull. The fight has been nearly two years in the making after Curran successfully defeated Pitbull in 2013 with a narrow split decision victory. After Pitbull stormed through the Season 9 Featherweight Tournament, both Pitbull and Curran have engaged in verbal sparring matches via social media that has resulted in one of the most anticipated fights of 2014.
“I’ve been wanting this rematch with Curran for a long time, and it’s finally here,” Pitbull said. “I won that first fight, and I should be Bellator Featherweight Champion right now. This time, I’m not going to let it go to the judges. Curran has started to get cocky and he’s disrespecting me. He has no idea what I’ve been through to get to the title.”
“Pitbull has been running his mouth a lot lately and everyone is sick of hearing it,” Curran said. “I’m ready to shut him up for good. I’m an even better fighter now than I was the first time we fought and I’ll show you him how a true champion fights on September 5th.”
King Mo returns to the cage after his controversial loss to Rampage Jackson at Bellator 120, as the American Top Team product will square off against New Jersey native Tom DeBlass. DeBlass enters the fight 2-0 in Bellator and is looking for the biggest win of his career against King Mo on September 5th.
“Listen, I respect Mo and I think he’s a world class athlete,” DeBlass said. “That being said, I know what I’m capable of, and I not only believe that I will win the fight, but I’m going to finish him. Bellator has treated me incredible, and I’ve been asking for big fights. Mo is the next step to get to my ultimate goal, and I’m not taking it lightly. I’m fighting in a huge fight back on the East Coast for a promotion I love. It doesn’t get much better than this.”
The main card will be rounded out by the Bellator debut of fan favorite Bobby Lashley, who brings a 10-2 record into the cage while also currently holding the TNA Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship. Lashley will square off against Bellator veteran Josh Burns in a heavyweight clash to open the September 5th show live on Spike TV.
The night will also feature a clash of heavyweights as Cheick Kongo returns to the Bellator cage to face the heavy handed Lavar Johnson. Both veterans of the sport, the two giants will engage in a slugfest that should produce fireworks live on Spike TV.
More announcements on the September 5th fight card from Mohegan Sun Arena will be made in the coming weeks which include Connecticut’s own, Brennan “The Irish Bad Boy” Ward.
Mohegan Sun Arena is now ranked consistently among the top venues in the world according to Billboard Magazine, Pollstar and Venues Today. It has won “Casino of The Year” at the Country Music Awards in 2008 & 2010 and in 2013, was voted “Arena Of The Year” at the G2E Global Gaming Conference in Las Vegas. Also in 2013, Mohegan Sun won “Casino of The Year” in 2 categories at the Academy of Country Music Awards. For more information on concerts and other great events at Mohegan Sun, visit mohegansun.com. For information on this week’s schedule, call the Entertainment and Special Events hotline at 1.888.226.7711, ext. 27163.
