The NHL will continueto consider its options for expansion without a timetable as to when it could actually happen.
At last week'sBoard of Governors meeting, the executive committee heard presentations from representatives oftheLas Vegas and Quebec markets in the third and latest phase to determine if the league will go forward with its expansion bids.Each presentation lasted about an hour, withthe Las Vegas presentation led by billionairebusine smanBill Foley and theQuebec presentation headed by members of Quebec City-basedcommunicationsconglomerateQuebecor.
MORE: |
"We are Ender Inciarte Jersey in the proce s of gathering information," commi sioner Gary Bettman said, Atlanta Braves Jersey . "There have been no deliberations as to whether or not we want to expand, how many teams, or where. There's much work to be done.
"The proce s will lead us in many directions, raise lots of questions that have to be answered, and at the end of the proce s, whenever that is, the Board will be in a position to consider, to deliberate and to make a judgment."
But what are the chances of expansion being seriously considered?
According to Bruins Tom Glavine Jersey owner Jeremy Jacobs, the NHLs chairman of the board, there isn't a stronginclination for expansion beyond the current30-team league.
"Theres a lot of content there. Theres a lot of capability there, but I dont know if theres a desire or will within the board of the existing franchises for expansion yet," Jacobs said, . "They both made pretty interesting proposals. Both have very legitimate arenas in place and organizations in place. Theres a capacity out there, but I dont know if theres a will from a league standpoint. Julio Teheran Jersey "
While the booze-and-gambling-filledLas Vegas market is considered a favorite, Quebec offers a market full of hockey-crazed fans wholove,liveandbreathe the sport.
"Take a look at whats gone up in Nevada its scary. I mean, it really is. Its a heck of an arena built there, and theres a strong interest there," Jacobs said. "Balance the fact, Quebec has a great hockey interest, but its an extraordinarily small market."
The application deadline for expansion came and went July 20with an underwhelming turnout, with just the twogroups from Las Vegas and Quebec City submittingtheir pitches.Seattle had been considereda candidate for expansion, but the prospective owner failed tosubmit a bid by the league's deadline.
Applications were due backto the leagueAug.10 with a heftyapplication fee of$10 million, $2 million of which is non-refundable whilethe other$8 million will either be deducted from Dansby Swanson Jersey the league's $500 million expansion fee for the winning group(s)or refunded to the groups that Kurt Suzuki Jersey don't land a team.The leaguealso requiredevidence from each group that the citywill have anarena in which to play.
Bettman said anexpansion will requirea three-quarters affirmative vote from the board, thoughthe executive committeemembersfirst needto make a recommendation to the group.
The board isexpected to weigh the pros and cons of an expansion and make a decisionon whether or not to move forward at itsnext meeting, which isscheduled to take placeDec. 7-8in California.
