According to the Associated Press, the NHL has settled on Las Vegas as the home of the next NHL franchise. The team won’t join the league until the 2017-18 campaign at the earliest.
BREAKING: AP source says #NHL settles on Las Vegas as choice for expansion.
— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) June 14, 2016
Here is the release from the AP:
A person with direct knowledge of the NHL’s decision says the league has settled on Las Vegas as its choice for expansion, provided organizers can come up with a $500 million fee.
The person spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because details have not been released by the league ahead of its Board of Governors meeting on June 22. Quebec City was also considered for expansion.
A second person who had been briefed on the decision said Las Vegas was a “done deal” following the recommendation of the NHL’s executive committee.
The 2017-18 season would be the earliest the league would expand.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman had proposed an expansion fee of $500 million, a significant jump from the $80 million paid by the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild, when the NHL last expanded to 30 teams in 2000.
The Las Vegas bid, led by Bill Foley, says it has secured more than 13,200 season-ticket deposits for a potential team. A 20,000-seat multipurpose arena near the Las Vegas Strip opened in April.
The debate of whether or not an NHL team makes sense in Las Vegas has been a topic of discussion for months and even with the news that debate will continue. So, does this make sense? I’m sure those that live in Quebec City are just thrilled.
Also, what will the team be called? Give us your best in the comment section.