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Leagues and Governing Bodies

NHL Gives William Foley Green Light To Survey Las Vegas On Possible Expansion Team

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman yesterday said that the league's BOG had "no objection" to Fidelity National Financial Chair William Foley "exploring the level of interest in an expansion team coming to Las Vegas," according to Andy Kent of the AP. Bettman, speaking at the NHL BOG meetings in Boca Raton, Fla., was "adamant that nothing more should be read into the league's consideration of Foley's request in terms of any advancement in expansion discussions." He explained that the interest from Foley and Las Vegas "raised questions about the viability of that market being able to support a team, which is why Foley wants to conduct a season-ticket drive and see what kind of numbers are achieved." Even though there has been "interest shown by other cities in addition to Las Vegas, such as Quebec City and Seattle, there is no guarantee that enough votes would be procured to approve any expansion." The league "hasn't even studied the Las Vegas market as far as its strength and no timeline has been established for an expansion process" (AP, 12/8). Bettman said, “Please don’t make more out of this than it is.” But the CP's Stephen Whyno noted it still is "another tiny step toward realizing the long-talked-about idea of expansion and one that seemingly puts Las Vegas well ahead of Quebec City and Seattle in the as-yet invisible race for team No. 31." The 20,000-seat MGM-AEG arena on the Strip is "set to open" in the spring of '16, and with Foley "taking this next step, the NHL also has less uncertainty when it comes to ownership" (CP, 12/8).

TESTING THE ICE: In Toronto, Bruce Arthur writes this is "just a start," something Bettman "tried to make clear over and over." This is "only a test," as the NHL can "walk away at any time, and has made no promises." But it has "not objected." The NHL is "extremely cautious when it comes to expansion, or relocation." The fact that the league is "willing to entertain this test-drive means Las Vegas is clearly in the lead when it comes to expansion." Unless Vegas "ignores Foley’s drive, the NHL will steam towards Vegas" (TORONTO STAR, 12/9). Also in Toronto, Mike Zeisberger writes Bettman's "constant warnings that we shouldn’t read too much into this definitely was an indication that he is wary of this story being blown out of proportion." There is a "method to the commish’s madness," and the "mere message itself is certain to spark intrigue among the sports fans in Vegas, thereby playing right into Foley’s hands." Zeisberger: "In theory, is this not giving Foley the green light to do what Jim Balsillie did during his wooing of the Nashville Predators back in 2007?" (TORONTO SUN, 12/9).

TAKING THE RIGHT APPROACH: ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun wrote this is a "brilliant approach." If Foley’s market survey "is a flop, the league can wipe its hands clean of the Vegas idea and, having not made any promises, move on like nothing happened. " But if Foley "finds a strong fan base, the league can proceed" (ESPN.com, 12/8). THE HOCKEY NEWS' Adam Proteau wrote, "Why would the NHL float this trial balloon if it weren’t confident the people of Las Vegas would respond positively?" The league is "handing the average citizen an opportunity to put that city on the pro sports map, and even casual hockey fans or non-fans might be seduced by the allure of something new and sign up for season’s seats based on sheer exuberance alone." But any "short-term show of support from the locals doesn’t put to rest all questions about the risks associated with an NHL team in Vegas" (THEHOCKEYNEWS.com, 12/8). ESPN.com's Scott Burnside wrote under the header, "Expansion To Vegas Worth The Gamble" (ESPN.com, 12/8).

EXPANSION OR RELOCATION? SPORTSNET.ca's Damien Cox reported a rep of Quebecor this week is "expected to address the board, but that’s believed to be on an unrelated television issue." Still, with Panthers attendance "dwindling below 9,000 a night (no crowd larger than 11,500 this season) the suggestions that the Panthers would do much better in Quebec City won’t go away" (SPORTSNET.ca, 12/8). In Winnipeg, Gary Lawless writes the NHL owners "should focus on contraction and not expansion." Lawless: "Too many nights there are players on the ice that don't meet the standard, and adding one or two teams and 50 new players would be a mistake." The NHL "can't only be about what works for broadcast partners." The product "has to be protected and expansion runs counter to this." Lawless: "Put a bullet in Arizona and Florida and strengthen the league, rather than further water it down" (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS, 12/9).

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