NHL to formally start expansion process (only LV and QC submit applications)

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by TX_Flame

Well neither of those teams sold for that much, so I really don't understand the point of your post.

My comment really stemmed from your assertion that the "league was over a barrel" with the Thrashers situation. Maybe we have different definitions of what that means but since the league runs a legal monopoly I would argue it is impossible for them to be "over a barrel". They get to call the shots on expansion, relo and almost everything else. Hell they even shut their league down for a year and a half to get the salary cap they wanted in collective bargaining.

As I already stated they have options when teams want to move and the NHL had their reasons for cutting the deal they did with True North. When people are wiling to pay $500 million for a piece of the action that should tell you something.

[TX_Flame]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

My comment really stemmed from your assertion that the "league was over a barrel" with the Thrashers situation. Maybe we have different definitions of what that means but since the league runs a legal monopoly I would argue it is impossible for them to be "over a barrel". They get to call the shots on expansion, relo and almost everything else. Hell they even shut their league down for a year and a half to get the salary cap they wanted in collective bargaining.

As I already stated they have options when teams want to move and the NHL had their reasons for cutting the deal they did with True North. When people are wiling to pay $500 million for a piece of the action that should tell you something.

I was referring to the fact that they ended up relocating a team right after spending several years insisting that they were completely committed to leaving all of their franchises in their current locations and that relocation would only be considered as an absolute last resort. Yes, they had their reasons for cutting the deal with True North. Such as the fact that the league had already bought out one team that didn't have a viable local buyer stepping up and had no appetite for buying, running and losing money on yet another one. "Last resort" means you are out of viable options, hence "over a barrel".

[TX_Flame]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

When people are wiling to pay $500 million for a piece of the action that should tell you something.

BTW, have you noticed that only TWO groups out of all the rumoured candidates were willing to pay that $500M, NOT INCLUDING the Seattle groups the league has been jonesing for?

[DJones]

Originally Posted by TX_Flame

BTW, have you noticed that only TWO groups out of all the rumoured candidates were willing to pay that $500M, NOT INCLUDING the Seattle groups the league has been jonesing for?

I wouldn't say "ONLY two" when you are talking about a half a billion dollars.

Even one is impressive.

[TX_Flame]

Originally Posted by DJones

I wouldn't say "ONLY two" when you are talking about a half a billion dollars.

Even one is impressive.

Every indication was that the league was expecting more, especially Seattle.

[sureLoss]

But the big problem with Seattle is that there seems to be no appetite to build a new arena unless it is for a NBA team.

That is the major roadblock for them. If there was a green light on an arena, then it was highly likely that someone would have applied for an expansion team in Seattle.

[getbak]

I'm surprised we haven't had confirmation yet that Vegas has moved onto the third phase of the process.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by getbak

I'm surprised we haven't had confirmation yet that Vegas has moved onto the third phase of the process.

Vegas Wants Hockey @LVWantsHockey
We've officially been invited to participate in Phase 3 of the application process! #OneStepCloser from #VegasWantsHockey to #VegasIsHockey

We have:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/busines...chise-advances

Businessman Bill Foley's bid for a National Hockey League team in Las Vegas has moved to the next phase of consideration, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told the Las Vegas Review-Journal on Friday.

It "only means that they have satisfied requirements of this phase and get to progress to more comprehensive due diligence and additional submission requirements," Daly said.
The NHL will continue evaluating Foley's business plan for a franchise, which could potentially start playing at the new $375 million MGM Resorts International-AEG arena on the Strip by the 2017-18 season.

Foley says he has more than 13,000 season ticket deposits from local Las Vegas fans.

After Foley's application is considered and he answers questions from league officials, the NHL Board of Governors could potentially vote on Foley's bid at a meeting in September or January.

An application from Quebec City also advanced.

[heep223]

It'd be so awesome if Vegas got a team.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by TX_Flame

BTW, have you noticed that only TWO groups out of all the rumoured candidates were willing to pay that $500M, NOT INCLUDING the Seattle groups the league has been jonesing for?

Only 2? The NHL owners will be partying like Caligula when they pocket their $1 billion. You don't understand the leverage they have.

[TX_Flame]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Only 2? The NHL owners will be partying like Caligula when they pocket their $1 billion. You don't understand the leverage they have.

Like I said, they were obviously hoping Seattle would be in too.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Only 2? The NHL owners will be partying like Caligula when they pocket their $1 billion. You don't understand the leverage they have.

For sure. If the NHL expands by 2 teams for $1B USD, Flames ownership will receive more from this latest expansion than from all other expansions combined since the team arrived from Atlanta.

[spetch]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

For sure. If the NHL expands by 2 teams for $1B USD, Flames ownership will receive more from this latest expansion than from all other expansions combined since the team arrived from Atlanta.

30+ more million to add to "owner financing" for CalgaryNext

[getbak]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Vegas Wants Hockey @LVWantsHockey
We've officially been invited to participate in Phase 3 of the application process! #OneStepCloser from #VegasWantsHockey to #VegasIsHockey

We have:
http://www.reviewjournal.com/busines...chise-advances

Well, there you go. The last I checked, the TSN story said the Vegas people hadn't returned their calls.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by heep223

It'd be so awesome if Vegas got a team.

No truer words spoken. I cannot friggen wait.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by getbak

Well, there you go. The last I checked, the TSN story said the Vegas people hadn't returned their calls.

TSN also broke that Iggy was traded to the Bruins.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by heep223

It'd be so awesome if Vegas got a team.

Awesome for fans of visiting teams. Will be a bizarre experience for the home fans, when the arena is full of fans of the other team. Twice as bad as Phoenix?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

TSN also broke that Iggy was traded to the Bruins.

TSN has also correctly broken literally hundreds of other stories, so what is your point?

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

TSN has also correctly broken literally hundreds of other stories, so what is your point?

Isn't the point pretty obvious? TSN isn't correct 100% of the time.

[Finger Cookin]

TheScore has been running a fun week long series looking at expansion - how the new teams will be run, how their rosters will be formed, even re-aligning the league and playoff format. It's been a fun read. More importantly, the Flames only lose Granlund and Byron in the expansion draft. How do I sign up for that outcome??