The still-buzzy Cosmopolitan was sold last year to the Blackstone Group for $1.73 billion. CEO John Unwin, who opened the resort in 2010 under reluctant owner Deutsche Bank, finished his tenure in December. At the north end of the Strip, SLS opened just before Labor Day, but president Rob Oseland bolted two months later to develop an all-new casino-hotel with fellow ex-Wynner Andrew Pascal and Australian mogul James Packer. Then, SBE boss Sam Nazarian had to step away from managing SLS, his biggest project ever, when he couldn’t get approved for a full gaming license.
What happens next? Two veteran casino executives take over for these two Strip properties, both loaded with challenges and opportunities.
15 to Watch in 2015
Bill McBeath is the new boss at Cosmo. He was president at Mirage, Treasure Island and Bellagio before moving into a similar role at CityCenter. With almost 30 years in gaming and hospitality, including positions as chairman of Las Vegas Events and board member for the LVCVA, McBeath could be the man to realign Cosmo’s operations in order to do what Unwin couldn’t—make money.
Scott Kreeger has tons of experience on and off the Strip—at MGM Resorts, Station Casinos and Revel in Atlantic City. Sounds like a perfect fit for SLS, which wants to cater to tourists and locals. When he got the gig in October, Kreeger said SLS “will have a transformative impact on Las Vegas.” Now he’s in the driver’s seat.
