Seattle Group Formally Submits NHL Expansion Bid For '20-21 Season

The Oak View Group and the prospective ownership group led by financier David Bonderman and filmmaker Jerry Bruckheimer submitted an expansion application for Seattle to the NHL yesterday. The application, which had been expected in recent weeks, included a $10M deposit and allows the group to take the next steps towards being granted an NHL team, such as running a local ticket drive. There is no immediate timeline for the league to review the application and begin discussions at the executive board level. It is expected that if granted a team, Seattle would begin play no earlier than the ‘20-21 season. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman recently said the league is not currently considering any other expansion applicant outside of Seattle (Ian Thomas, Staff Writer). The expected expansion fee is $650M. Of the $10M filing fee, $2M is "nonrefundable" (USATODAY.com, 2/13). The ticket drive "should begin in the next few weeks and will determine whether the league accepts Seattle's bid" (ESPN.com, 2/13).