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

[TX_Flame]

Originally Posted by polak

These type of tweets will seem silly if they don't get it.

Why? They only said that they applied, not that they're getting it.

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by troutman

For all the talk about expansion and other markets, only two cities are serious enough about the NHL to put down the deposit. This should tell us something.

The expansion fee is too high IMO. It's as much as a new building! And 20% more for Canadian teams due to the weak dollar.

Guess this will prevent the mess they got into before though, a bunch of places buying teams where they couldn't make money.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by TX_Flame

Tukwila is just outside SEA. Did that group apply?

No

Chris Daniels ✔@ChrisDaniels5
Ray Bartoszek's camp tells me his group could NOT meet the #NHL timeline, but continues to work on the #TukwilaArena proposal.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Given the economic climate, a second Toronto-area franchise could prove problematic. Support is likely there, but territorial fees could be prohibitive.

Less economically viable in Quebec City, however a motivated ownership works in their favour.

[kn]

It sounds like LV and QC are the only bids. Would the NHL really only except LV and not QC?

[nik-]

Originally Posted by polak

These type of tweets will seem silly if they don't get it.

They're building an arena on spec, I'm sure the possibility of disappointing people with a tweet is pretty low on the list of concerns.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by kn

It sounds like LV and QC are the only bids. Would the NHL really only except LV and not QC?

I think you can count on the NHL only expanding to Vegas in this round.

The league has said in the past that there is no necessity to expand by two in the same year.

[GirlySports]

hope both LV and QC get in.

[automaton 3]

There are $500 million reasons for the NHL to expand to Quebec.

I'm betting the owners take the money.

[Igster]

Originally Posted by Madman

Scott Burnside @ESPN_Burnside
Can confirm Bill Foley's application for expansion team in Las Vegas has been filed under Black Knight Sports and Entertainment LLC.

Hmmm...

Las Vegas Black Knight's

I like it.

[Sec218]

Take the $500 million and have Quebec play in the Central division for the first few seasons until they figure out the Seattle situation.

[polak]

Originally Posted by nik-

They're building an arena on spec, I'm sure the possibility of disappointing people with a tweet is pretty low on the list of concerns.

This seems like a terrible time to add a new small market Canadian team that I'm pretty sure will be the smallest market in the league?

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Igster

Hmmm...

Las Vegas Black Knight's

I like it.

Man I am so bloody pumped for a LV team. I drove by the rink the other day and the outer shell is basically all closed up now.

I was hoping for LV Wranglers though

[Igster]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Man I am so bloody pumped for a LV team. I drove by the rink the other day and the outer shell is basically all closed up now.

I was hoping for LV Wranglers though

I'm just guessing at the name. Who knows what they'll be called. Predictable, but I still like the LV Gamblers.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by polak

This seems like a terrible time to add a new small market Canadian team that I'm pretty sure will be the smallest market in the league?

The Quebec City metro area is slightly larger than the Winnipeg metro area. Also, the new arena in QC is going to be over 20% larger than the MTS Centre, so they won't be forced to have the most-expensive average ticket price in the league.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by polak

This seems like a terrible time to add a new small market Canadian team that I'm pretty sure will be the smallest market in the league?

Why? Do you think they'll lose more money than the Arizona Coyotes, with a metro population of 4.5 million?

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by getbak

The Quebec City metro area is slightly larger than the Winnipeg metro area. Also, the new arena in QC is going to be over 20% larger than the MTS Centre, so they won't be forced to have the most-expensive average ticket price in the league.

Arena size is a double edged sword though. Great when your selling out, extra losses when your not.

That said, I think QC will do very well. Can't be worse than five other teams in the league. They'll have a high average price like the other Canadian markets, and they'll sell out for several years in the beginning at least. Probably even doing a drive like Winnipeg, where your forced to buy for multiple years in the beginning.

[sureLoss]

Ken Campbell @THNKenCampbell
NHL confirms it sent out 16 expansion bid packages and got only two applications - from Las Vegas and Quebec City.

NEW YORK (July 21, 2015) – The National Hockey League today released the following update relative to the NHL expansion application process:

“As previously announced, NHL expansion applications were made available to all potentially interested applicants on July 6. Since that date, we have received requests from, and responded by sending applications to, 16 separate groups/individuals.

“The deadline for filing an application and proceeding in the NHL expansion process was last night. We can confirm that we have received two applications: one from Bill Foley for a franchise in Las Vegas, Nevada, and one from Quebecor for a franchise in Quebec City, Quebec.

“Our purpose, in initiating the expansion process in the manner we did, was not only to explore the possibility of admitting new members to the NHL but also, at the outset, to set realistic guideposts to distinguish between bona fide expressions of interest (i.e., those which have at least substantial ownership capabilities and an arena or the realistic possibility of an arena) from those indications of potential interest which were, at best, merely hopes or aspirations. Apparently, only Mr. Foley and Quebecor have the confidence in their ability to secure an arena and suitable ownership capability to move forward with this process.

“We now intend to focus exclusively on the two expansion applications that have been submitted in accordance with the previously announced process. The process we have outlined for qualified applicants includes at least two more stages of documentation submission. We will provide no further updates until there is something substantive to announce.”

[GirlySports]

I don't know if you're already committed to spending $500M on expansion fees, $2M seems like a drop in the bucket. I think the bigger issue might have been the whole expansion process was kind of a farce. In reality, there was only 1 expansion spot and the league was doing everything but batting its lashes at Seattle for that one. It'll be interesting to see how this all shakes out given that. They could just give the franchises to QC and LV. They could just shut down expansion for now and steer the Coyotes to Las Vegas. I think one way or another Phoenix's days are numbered.

[polak]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

Why? Do you think they'll lose more money than the Arizona Coyotes, with a metro population of 4.5 million?

This isn't a relocation. This is an expansion.

Why add a team with potential concerns right off the bat when the NHL already has enough head aches to deal with from the existing teams.

I'm not against Quebec City getting a team, I just think adding them now is a little odd.