[Rumour] NHL and Seattle talking about expansion fees (~$225M)

[agulati]

The way the alignment was done, there is a greater probability for the expansion teams to be in the west. My thinking is that if Quebec will get a team it will be through relocation of a failing franchise.

[FlamesAddiction]

Quebec and Southern Ontario (likely based in Markham) are the 2 that I think are no brainers. The 2 biggest things required are an arena and an owner. Both of these cities have the inside track in this regard. People always talk about the NHL putting teams in places, but they can't just put them where no one wants to own them.

Back in the 1990s, Salt Lake City, Houston and Oklahoma City were constantly on the radar for expansion/relocation, but they seemed to have hit the backburner now.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by Joborule

Interesting they think it's much of a risk. The NBA has indicated that Seattle will get a team back at some point in the future, so building the arena now if a tenant is ready to use it when it's completed would seem like a good move so some money could be made in the meanwhile. Plus don't have to worry about inflation costs building it later. Plus, it's not like the NHL in Seattle is too high of a risk. I would assume the first several years they would have good draws.

After what happened with the Sonics, I doubt the city of Seattle puts a lot of faith in what the NBA says. I believe their deal is contingent on a signed agreement for a team to return to Seattle, not just promises for the future.

The situation also becomes complicated if Hansen isn't involved in a group favoured by the NHL. What happens if the others want to move forward on a lease for a building Hansen isn't yet prepared to begin construction on?

[seattleflamer]

And now this from the Seattle City Council Prez:
http://sportspressnw.com/2181588/201...one-for-hockey

“I don’t believe the MOU could be modified to allow an NHL team to go first,” Burgess wrote. “During our initial consideration of the MOU, it was quite clear that the financial risk to the city increased dramatically with the NHL-first scenario.”

It is one vote and an influential one but if true, arena won't be built till an NBA team is acquired based on current agreement.

[troutman]

Shoalts: Conference imbalance works in favour of Seattle and Las Vegas

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sport...ticle17560340/

The plan is to add two teams in the west – which leaves Quebec as the long-shot even though it is the only city of the three to have an arena under construction.

However, given the time frame – a good three years until an announcement about expansion, and at least five until any new team hits the ice – Quebec’s chances can change.

There are two groups competing to build an arena in Las Vegas: MGM Resorts International and AEG (owner of the Los Angeles Kings) are proposing to do it with $350-million (U.S.) in private money, while The Cordish Companies want to partner with the city and use public money to build a $390-million playpen.

There are also two groups competing to land an NHL expansion franchise for Las Vegas, and both are well-heeled: The Maloof family (former owners of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings), and a group led by television/movie producer Jerry Bruckheimer, former MGM chairman Harry Sloan and David Bonderman, co-founder of TPG Capital LLP.

[sureLoss]

Potential Seattle owner Ray Bartoszek is getting impatient waiting for a new arena to be built. Has turned his attention to a plan to revamp Key Arena

http://seattletimes.com/html/hockey/...yndication=rss

Less than a year ago, investment banker Ray Bartoszek was prepared to buy and move the Phoenix Coyotes to Seattle overnight.

Today, the Coyotes remain in the desert and Bartoszek sits in his office in a distant New York suburb, with an NHL dream but no team. That ownership dream still involves Seattle, but Bartoszek now wants to radically change his game plan.

He’s done listening to the prevailing wisdom that told him the quickest way to land a team post-Coyotes was by playing ball with the Chris Hansen-Steve Ballmer duo in trying for an NHL expansion franchise. The idea sounded good: He’d land the expansion team for their proposed Sodo arena, while they navigated political red tape and got a venue built.

Now, he’s not so sure.

With no Sodo arena deal in sight to entice the NHL to award a franchise, Bartoszek is seeking alternatives: the most eye-catching being a proposal to pump tens of millions of dollars into overhauling KeyArena into a modern, NHL-only facility.

“I think we’ve got to get away from this idea that the key to this is through that real estate,’’ Bartoszek said of the Sodo project, still awaiting political approval in a stalled process. “I assumed those guys held the keys to the city and the ability to get this all done. Now, it’s time to look at other approaches.’’

[GoFlamesGo1989]

Well this is good news for the draft next year.

[Rick M.]

Seattle and Portland were great hockey centers when I was a kid. The old minor-pro Western Hockey League was very competitive (with teams such as Seattle, Portland, Calgary, Edmonton, etc.). I think Seattle is a great choice for expansion.

[an hero]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Seattle and Portland were great hockey centers when I was a kid. The old minor-pro Western Hockey League was very competitive (with teams such as Seattle, Portland, Calgary, Edmonton, etc.). I think Seattle is a great choice for expansion.

Would probably create a good rivalry with Vancouver as well.

[jayswin]

That's exciting. Since I probably wouldn't see a game there live, I really don't care what how this gets done, I'd just like to see a team in Seattle.

An_Hero, you should ask the mods to change your username, that's F-in brutal and shouldn't be allowed to be used here. I know I'm not a mod so I have no say, but seriously, what a **** username.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by flameswin

That's exciting. Since I probably wouldn't see a game there live, I really don't care what how this gets done, I'd just like to see a team in Seattle.

An_Hero, you should ask the mods to change your username, that's F-in brutal and shouldn't be allowed to be used here. I know I'm not a mod so I have no say, but seriously, what a **** username.

Yeah, I dont know why anyone would think that would be cool.

Kill the account and sign up with something else. Right now no one is even giving you the opportunity to prove whether or not you're an idiot.

[hwy19man]

It is not a bad idea to overhaul the Key Arena but if he is impatient, just set up shop in Portland, Oregon.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by hwy19man

It is not a bad idea to overhaul the Key Arena but if he is impatient, just set up shop in Portland, Oregon.

That doesn't make sense if his end goal is Seattle. If Seattle's his choice it makes more sense to spend the money to re-do Key Arena and then if/when a basketball team comes back and a new arena is a built then get in on that.

Way more practical than playing in a different city as a stop gap until Seattle is ready. Unless you're suggesting he just go with Portland permanently? But it sounds like he really wants Seattle.

[seattleflamer]

Key is a great location but I wonder if this is a negotiating ploy to gain a little leverage with Hansen/SoDo Arena group.

I recall Ballmer offered to cover $150 million toward a $300 million KeyArena renovation in 2008 dollars when, at the last minute, he tried to keep the Sonics in Seattle.

I have serious doubts Bartoszek is willing to spend $300 million to modernize KeyArena. Tens of millions won't make it "state of the art".

Also, there will certainly be no public money available based on I-91 which is the law that prevents taxpayer subsidies for professional sports teams.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by flameswin

But it sounds like he really wants Seattle.

I would too. There's just a lot more corporate support, people, and generally money in Seattle. Portland is a great city, and they support their sports teams (at least they were rabbit about the Timbers last time I was there), but I think Seattle is a better fit for an NHL franchise.

[hwy19man]

Originally Posted by flameswin

That doesn't make sense if his end goal is Seattle. If Seattle's his choice it makes more sense to spend the money to re-do Key Arena and then if/when a basketball team comes back and a new arena is a built then get in on that.

Way more practical than playing in a different city as a stop gap until Seattle is ready. Unless you're suggesting he just go with Portland permanently? But it sounds like he really wants Seattle.

I am suggesting that he goes to Portland permanently. I really do think Portland is the place to go. There is not an arena issue in that city.

Seattle would also be a good place to have the NHL but the arena debate has taken a long time.

[ForeverFlameFan]

I think Seattle is a good addition for the pacific division

Would Wisconsin be a good place for an NHL team in the central division? Or would a Canadian team be more ideal?

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by hwy19man

I am suggesting that he goes to Portland permanently. I really do think Portland is the place to go. There is not an arena issue in that city.

Seattle would also be a good place to have the NHL but the arena debate has taken a long time.

Portland is poor, poor, poor, economically.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by ForeverFlameFan

I think Seattle is a good addition for the pacific division

Would Wisconsin be a good place for an NHL team in the central division? Or would a Canadian team be more ideal?

Milwaukee would be the only option in Wisconsin, they draw less than 6000 fans per game.

Cleveland would be a better option. They drew 8100+ this year for the Monsters despite the team being one of the worst in the AHL. A prolonged Blue Jackets run (or even a huge upset over the Penguins) could see more people turn to hockey in Ohio. "The Q" also has capacity for 20,000 seats for hockey.

[chanimal40]

I'd rather then do this to Quebec. Canada deserves 1 more team. Since Bettman has been in office no Canadian team has won the Cup. Enough of American expansion yes to Canadian expansion.