Isleta parting ways with Hard Rock

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) - As guitars were smashed on opening day in the Summer of 2010 hopes were high that the re-branding of Isleta Hotel and Casino as the Hard Rock would mean a nice boost in revenue.

"We did not see the boost that I think we would have loved to have seen," Hotel & Casino CEO Pam Gallegos said.

In fact slot revenues are about the same now as they were before the name change.

The difference though is that Isleta Pubelo has been paying $1 million a year for the Hard Rock brand and everything that comes with it.

It is money the pueblo now thinks could be better spent.

"They made the decision to terminate the contract and move forward with an Isleta branded casino," said Gallegos.

Tribal leaders are still working out when that will take place.

Gallegos told KRQE News 13 it could be up to a year before all traces of Hard Rock, from the signs to the memorabilia, are removed.

"The timing of it all has to be negotiated," she said.

In the meantime she said they are moving forward with plans to get back to their roots as a tribal casino, a move primarily motivated by customer input.

"The feedback has been, we loved Isleta we really loved Isleta, so we're going to try and integrate that back in but with a different flare and style," Gallegos said.

She also told KRQE News 13 there is no bad blood and that the split is an amicable one adding that pueblo leaders felt it was time to try something new to stay competitive.