NHL Formally Approves Opening Expansion Process

[Omahan6301]

The NHL will begin accepting applications from people interested in pursuing an expansion team.

Las Vegas, Seattle, Quebec, and Toronto appear to be on the short list, with KC, Portland, and Milwaukee also expressing interest. Expansion fee will be at least $500 million.

Even if Omaha is 20+ years away from getting a professional team, it wouldn't be a bad idea to start throwing our hat in the ring. Look what happened to OKC.


http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/13142 ... on-process

[Greg S]

KC's only hope I think is the Cerner guys that own Sporting. I know when KC was going after the Penguins, they essentially offered the Sprint Center rent free.

Greg

[Greg S]

Paul McGannon runs a group in KC called NHL21 that is dedicated to bringing the NHL to KC.

Another longshot would be Clark Hunt. He took over the Chiefs from his Dad and just bought the ECHL Mavericks that play in Independence. I know he wants to grow the sport long term there. Comments indicate he does not think the market is NHL ready now but will be in the future (not short term).

Greg

[MadMartin8]

Seattle, Portland, and a city in Canada will get a team long before K.C. It's not even close.


Omaha isn't even in the running, and shouldn't be.

[Greg S]

The NHL is really hesitant on Seattle due to no building. I think there would be some questions on Portland supporting two major winter sports. Quebec is most likely for Canada. The Leafs will block any movement for a 2nd team in Toronto (though that market would have no trouble supporting a 2nd franchise).

Would not surprise me to see Houston sniff around on this.

Greg

[Omahan6301]

I was in a meeting with the economic developer of Vegas back in March and they are willing to do just about anything to get a professional sports team in that city.

[iamjacobm]

So boring for these leagues to keep piling into saturated pro markets. Does KC really need franchise #4? If your the Chiefs and Royals do you really want more competition for potential dollars to go to another franchise, not like fans have been beating down the gates at the K before this season.

[MadMartin8]

The NHL is really hesitant on Seattle due to no building. I think there would be some questions on Portland supporting two major winter sports. Quebec is most likely for Canada. The Leafs will block any movement for a 2nd team in Toronto (though that market would have no trouble supporting a 2nd franchise).

Would not surprise me to see Houston sniff around on this.

Greg

Seattle has an Arena proposal in the works to bring the NBA back (plus one in existence). Wouldn't surprise me if they tacked an NHL franchise in there as well. Portland not supporting two major winter sports? Uh...okie dokey, curious to know who says that. I would wager they'd support a team moreso than Houston.

No one cares about Canada. Put it in Yellowknife for all anyone cares...that said, I still bet it would be granted a team before K.C.

[Greg S]

Quebec City and Las Vegas are the only two cities to submit formal proposals and put up the $10 million deposit.

Greg

[Linkin5]

Quebec City and Las Vegas are the only two cities to submit formal proposals and put up the $10 million deposit.

Greg

That would be a shame if they pick Las Vegas over Quebec City.

[Trips]

I believe that Vegas will get it. MGM has two casinos attached to their new arena and will want to fill it. They designed the new arena (MGM/AIG owned) with hockey and basketball in mind. - Fun side note, the VP of Casino Operations at NYNY (Attached to the arena) is from Omaha.

[MadMartin8]

I believe that Vegas will get it. MGM has two casinos attached to their new arena and will want to fill it. They designed the new arena (MGM/AIG owned) with hockey and basketball in mind.

Bingo. Still surprised Seattle didn't dive in.

[nebugeater]

I believe that Vegas will get it. MGM has two casinos attached to their new arena and will want to fill it. They designed the new arena (MGM/AIG owned) with hockey and basketball in mind.

Bingo. Still surprised Seattle didn't dive in.

Don't follow Hockey a lot but did hear a bunch of talk on overnight national sports talk radio that there is one course of thought that has Seattle getting a team through relocation. There was a team named but for the life of me I do not remember who. Seems pretty well though out with the arguments being made.

[Greg S]

Quebec City and Las Vegas are the only two cities to submit formal proposals and put up the $10 million deposit.

Greg

That would be a shame if they pick Las Vegas over Quebec City.

There will be two expansion teams.

Greg