CNN/SI's Bob Lorenz reported that the NHL's Executive
Committee will inform the Board of Governors on Tuesday that
it is recommending four cities receive expansion franchises.
Lorenz: "The plan will call for a team in Nashville to begin
play in 1998, with Atlanta to follow in 1999 and then
Columbus, Ohio, and St. Paul to complete the expansion in
the year 2000. The committee will also recommend that the
board vote to extend the current collective bargaining
agreement until either 2002 or 2003." The Board of
Governors will meet June 25 to vote on the issues ("CNN/SI,"
CNN, 6/16). A similar report was filed by The Sports
Network, the Canadian all-sports network. NHL
VP/Communications Arthur Pincus: "I'm not confirming
anything. The board of governors will meet June 25, and
expansion will very likely be included on the agenda." The
selections would mean that Oklahoma City and Houston would
be passed by (Rudy Martzke, USA TODAY, 6/17).
FABLES OF NON-CONSTRUCTION: In Houston, Neil Hohlfeld
writes that sources close to the NHL expansion process say
Houston's "market size is being overridden by the fact that
the city's plans for a new arena are not as far along as the
four cities that are expected to receive teams." Hohlfeld:
"Second, and more important to the NHL, was the need for a
referendum in Harris County in November to give voter
approval for the arena." But if Houston "does not receive
an expansion team, it would not rule out an NHL team playing
here within the next two seasons," as Rockets Owner Leslie
Alexander has had talks with NHL Oilers Owner Peter
Pocklington about that team (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 6/17).
OTHER CITIES: In St. Paul, a team would play in the
new $130M St. Paul Civic Center, according to Curt Brown of
the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. Brown: "The new arena's
financing plan apparently satisfies the NHL, though one
large question remains: Will the 1998 Legislature go along
with Gov. Arne Carlson's pledge to pay for half the arena
with state bonds?" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 6/17). In
Nashville, potential Owner Craig Leipold, on Nashville
beginning play in '98: "That's what we are hearing, but we
have not heard that from the man" (USA TODAY, 6/17). In
Columbus, Futty & LaLone report that NHL execs "are expected
to make a formal announcement regarding the recommendations
today and press conferences likely will be held in Columbus
and the other expansion cities." It is "unclear" whether
Lamar Hunt, "part of the city's original investment group,
was still on board" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 6/17).
