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Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Seat Auction Hits eBay

January 23, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Las Vegas Wranglers News Release


LAS VEGAS - The Las Vegas Wranglers have announced that the auction for a premium seat as part of Rod Blagojevich Prison Uniform Night is underway on eBay. The seat for the game on Friday, January 30, is located between the benches in a space normally used by media photographers. The Buy It Now price is at $1 million.

The event was inspired when recently impeached Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was indicted in a federal investigation for, among other things, his allegedly attempt to realize personal gain from filling the Illinois Senate Seat vacated as a result of the 2008 presidential election. The seat auction is being conducted at www.ebay.com as "Gov. Rod Blagojevich Prison Night Fan Experience," and can also be located by seller "lasvegaswranglers." The auction ends Wednesday, January 28, at 4:00 pm EST (7:00 pm PST).

"We will actually provide two seats for the game," Las Vegas Wranglers president and COO Billy Johnson said. "We think this is a much better deal, especially when one considers we may not be indicted for offering it."

Johnson said that in addition to the seats the winner of the auction will also receive complimentary concessions throughout the game and a replica of the Prison Jersey the Wranglers will be wearing during the game.

The Wranglers will wear uniforms that feature broad, horizontal black and white stripes and an identification number that begins "ILLGOV-" followed by each player's actual uniform number. The visiting Bakersfield Condors will wear jerseys fashioned after the orange jumpsuits typical of Department of Corrections issue. On-ice officials for the game will wear blue jerseys designed with buttons, pockets, ECHL badges, and a black neck tie with gold tie clip. All of the uniforms will be auctioned to benefit the team's charitable efforts. The game begins at 7:30 pm.

The Wranglers have a history of oddball promotions. In 2006 the team held Dick Cheney Hunting Vest Night following a shooting mishap which injured 78-year-old Harry Whittington. The team often wears specialty uniforms to support themes and causes. They play one game each season that begins at midnight, and an annual Over-18 game that caters to a more mature audience.

The Las Vegas Wranglers are the ECHL affiliate to the NHL's Calgary Flames and play their home games at the Orleans Arena, just west of the famed Las Vegas Strip.



ECHL Stories from January 23, 2009


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