Las Vegas tourism officials have canceled several activities tied to the launch of a new city slogan in the wake of basketball star Kobe Bryant's death.
A 60-second spot touting the “What happens here, only happens here” campaign aired during the Grammy Awards as planned Sunday night.
But other plans were postponed.
The city had intended to display the new slogan on more than two dozen hotel and casino marquees on and around the Strip.
Instead, most resorts showed messages of grief.
The retired L.A. Lakers player, his 13-year-old daughter and seven others perished after their helicopter crashed Sunday morning 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.
The following is a statement from Steve Hill, CEO and president of the LVCVA:
“As many are aware, we were prepared to launch the newest advertising campaign for Las Vegas during the GRAMMYs telecast on Sunday, January 26. In light of today’s tragic accident that claimed the lives of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna, and others on board, we are postponing any activity planned on the Las Vegas Strip until a future date. The hearts of everyone in Las Vegas are with the families and friends of those lost, with all of Los Angeles and with his fans around the world.”
(AP contributed to this report.)
