MGM Room Rates Should Be Jacked Up For Big Fight, Just Lose the Hidden Fees

The Las Vegas Sun wrote a column in Thursday's paper that somehow made news with the story being that room rates we're jacked up across the board at MGM Resort properties just prior to the possible announcement of the Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather fight actually happening. So, what is the Sun's point; like MGM Resorts should just treat it like any other weekend, because that's the whole idea of paying millions of dollars to host the fight, making money in all avenues of the operation.

The MGM chain of properties actually have more rooms than there are seats for any arena in Las Vegas, but it's going to be all the people who want to just soak up the vibe of a true Las Vegas mega-event, hob-knobbing -- or at least telling their friends they are -- with all the celebrities that show up for events like this. There aren't too many other places better to be than watching a championship fight than in a Las Vegas viewing room or sports book with thousands of other people if you can't get a ticket, which most won't.

And then the after parties. Wow, Vegas has never had so many clubs and lounges like they do now that can really cater to the star-struck fans that will flock to the town. Can you imagine if Jet night club or the Foundation Room had been around when Leonard, Hagler, or Hearns fought in the early eighties.

As for the rooms, they should be jacked up. Get all the money you can in a way that every proper hotel run in the world does, which is simply price fixing on popular dates. Try getting a $39 room at any Days Inn around at a Super Bowl site during that event; good luck if you get find a room anywhere under $300.

My only issue with the rooms are the hidden fees such as the crafty resort fees, such as use of the pool. It may sound crazy, but I always thought that was part of the hotel price. And even if I didn't want to use the pool, it doesn't matter, I still have to pay the fee. So when I get a room for $109 quoted to me, after all the taxes and hidden fees, which include daily phone fees, an area you have no choice of shutting down since we all have cell phones these days, I'm really looking at $159 -- so just say so from the beginning.

Charge away, make the most you can, but do it honestly, fair, and straight-forward. Hopefully Bob Arum's crew doesn't screw this one up again and this fight actually happens. Las Vegas can really use the shot of adreneline in the arm.