If you’ve been near the Thomas & Mack Center (TMC) in the last few days, you may have noticed some exciting activity. The 2025 NBA Summer League, one of the NBA's marquee events, is back. From now until July 20, Las Vegas will turn once again into the hub for professional basketball’s off-season. 

But long before the players take the court, another kind of team is hard at work, expertly preparing for the event’s intense demands. Behind the blare of the buzzer and the roar of the crowd is a critical partnership between UNLV’s Risk Management & Safety (RMS) department and TMC operations staff. Their game plan? Protect the well-being of employees working long hours in one of the hottest months of the year, all while creating an exciting and safe environment for visitors, professional players, and students.

“RMS, in particular Occupational Safety & Health’s, role is to support Thomas & Mack employees by providing resources and guidance to help keep them safe, with a particular focus on heat illness prevention planning,” says Julie Moos, occupational safety program manager.

The NBA Summer League at UNLV: A Short History

Every July since 2004, the NBA Summer League transforms the Maryland campus into the epicenter of basketball’s future. Over 150,000 fans descend on campus for 11 days of nonstop action in back-to-back games featuring all 30 NBA teams showcasing their newest talent. Eager rookies, G-League players, and unsigned prospects battle it out on the court from morning to night, looking to make their mark. For local basketball enthusiasts, it’s a unique opportunity to witness rising stars and future MVPs before they make it big. But for RMS and TMC leadership, it’s a reminder that while the action heats up inside, the relentless Las Vegas summer poses serious risks for those working behind the scenes.

“Summer League in July brings challenges with the heat both inside on our systems and outside with our staff,” says Michael Newcomb, executive director of the Thomas & Mack Center. “Having the support from RMS, in conjunction with our external management and supervisor team, is very important to us and the staff.”

The Preparation, The Training, The Commitment

As temperatures soar, so do the risks of heat-related illness. To combat this, Occupational Safety & Health, in partnership with TMC, has built a proactive, months-long preparation process that kicks off each spring.

“We start planning in April,” says Moos. “Given the scale of the NBA Summer League and the number of Thomas & Mack staff required to work outdoors, we recognized their elevated risk of heat exposure. We must take additional precautions to help protect their health and safety during the event.”

Preparation for the NBA Summer League extends beyond UNLV. Its impact and visibility demand a citywide and statewide collaborative effort.

“The Vegas Summer League meets months before the event starts, working with local law enforcement, federal agencies, and other interested parties to ensure a safe event,” says Event Manager & Parking Services Manager Domonick Lovitz. 

More than 45 staff members are trained by OSH, including security officers manning metal detectors, ticket takers at the doors, parking staff, traffic control, and custodians emptying trash and cleaning up grounds outside. Each staff member receives several hours of workplace safety protocol training that goes beyond the basics. It emphasizes scenario-based learning, practical application, prevention strategies (e.g., proper hydration, rest breaks, acclimatization), equipment-specific training for boom lifts and forklifts for the production staff, and real-time decision-making. 

For example, parking attendants are directed to arrive early, check in at designated shade tents, receive hydration supplies, and get a briefing on the day's schedule and safety reminders. 

“All external staff are trained in heat-related issues, told what to wear, and provided proper safety equipment,” says Newcomb.

Supervisors rotate teams through scheduled cooling breaks, and RMS teams are on-site and on-call for support throughout the event.

“We emphasize open communication by encouraging staff to report safety concerns early to cultivate a proactive safety culture during this high-risk season,” says Moos.

In addition to classroom sessions, OSH conducts site assessments, helps implement cooling stations for parking lot attendants, and supplies cooling fans, towels, and electrolyte drinks. They also help staff develop heat break rotations and emergency response protocols, all essential tools for safe and successful events.

“The training and support we receive from RMS is year-round,” says Lovitz. “We meet quarterly as part of our safety committee, and their partnership ensures we’re constantly improving and prioritizing safety at every event we host.”

Heat Safety Is a Community Responsibility

Last year, Southern Nevada recorded 294 heat-related deaths and over 2,200 emergency department visits. These sobering statistics serve as a reminder that heat safety is more than an operational concern — it's a community health issue.

“The excessive heat we experience in Las Vegas is not something to be taken lightly,” says Moos. “These numbers highlight the critical need for awareness, planning, and prevention to keep our workforce safe during extreme heat conditions.”

At UNLV, the commitment to prevention through education, preparation, and cross-departmental relationships is setting a gold standard.

A Partnership That Grows Stronger Every Year

The collaboration between RMS and TMC is built on years of mutual trust and commitment to continuous improvement. It’s a proactive relationship with one goal—safety.

“Our partnership with RMS is essential,” says Lovitz. 

For the RMS team, safety isn’t just a box to check. It’s a pledge to people. Whether it's a parking attendant braving the heat or an event coordinator managing the crowd, the goal is the same: make sure every staff member finishes their shift safe and healthy.

So, while fans cheer courtside, players deliver highlight-reel dunks, and coaches push for excellence, there's a powerful team behind the scenes making it all possible. A dedicated network of safety experts, venue veterans, and passionate leaders working tirelessly to ensure the NBA Summer League isn’t just thrilling — it’s a model of preparation, protection, and care. In a city known for high stakes, their commitment ensures that safety always wins.