NHL Today Expected To Open Formal Expansion Bidding Process

Sources said that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman following today's BOG meetings is expected to announce that the league is "opening a formal expansion process." The NHL is "ready to entertain bids, but won't commit to a specific number of teams." The "significance of the announcement being made in Las Vegas shouldn't be lost on anyone," as the city likely is poised to land an NHL team. There will be "competition" for another spot, "with Seattle and Quebec City among the favourites to land it." Some BOG members believe an expansion fee of at least $500M is "in order" (SPORTSNET.ca, 6/24).

While this approval allows the NHL to review bids from interested cities, there is no explicit guarantee it must expand following the process. The next step will likely take place at the BOG’s next meeting, which is in September in N.Y. Formal presentations are expected be on the agenda. This marks the first time the NHL is poised to expand since it approved four new teams in '97 (Ian Thomas, Staff Writer).