Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
NHL receives expansion bids from Las Vegas, Quebec City
Share This Post
Comments
Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - 4:45pm

Bill Foley has put his money down on an NHL expansion team in Las Vegas. And Quebec City is getting a second chance at being a pro hockey market.

The two cities moved one step closer to joining the NHL as expansion teams after the league announced Tuesday it has received applications from prospective ownership groups in both markets, a day after a deadline for submissions.

The Las Vegas bid was submitted by Foley, a billionaire businessman who has spent the past seven months exploring the level of interest for professional hockey in the gambling mecca. Montreal-based Quebecor, a Canadian media and telecommunications giant, submitted the bid for Quebec City, which previously served home to the NHL's Nordiques.

Quebecor also has ties to the NHL after its cable network, TVA Sports, won the rights to become the league's official French-language broadcaster last year.

As part of their application, bidders were required to submit a $10 million down payment, $2 million of which was nonrefundable. There are at least two more steps in the expansion process, and the bids require approval from the NHL's Board of Governors.

The league doesn't anticipate expanding before the 2017-18 season and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has proposed an expansion fee of at least $500 million. That's a significant jump from the $80 million fee paid by the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild, when the NHL last expanded to 30 teams in 2000.

Without going into specifics, the NHL said it received and responded to application requests from 16 separate groups since the process opened July 6.

The league placed an emphasis on groups having the financial capacity to establish a franchise, as well as an arena either in place or under construction.

"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 to set out realistic guideposts to distinguish between bona fide expressions of interest from those indications of potential interests which were, at best, merely hopes or aspirations," the league said.

"Apparently only Foley and Quebecor have the confidence in their ability to secure an arena and suitable ownership capability to move forward with this process," the league added.

The conditions quickly thinned the ranks of prospective markets, including Seattle and a second franchise in Toronto.

Several separate Seattle groups have expressed interest in establishing an NHL team in the Pacific Northwest, where the lack of an arena plan in place remains a major stumbling block. Portland, Oregon, and Kansas City were also mentioned as potential markets.

With the application process closed, the league intends to "focus exclusively" on the two applications that were submitted.

In Las Vegas, Foley has secured more than 13,200 season-ticket deposits for a potential team. And there's a multipurpose arena under construction near the Las Vegas Strip and set to open next spring.

A team in Las Vegas would have natural and existing regional rivals because of its proximity to Arizona and California.

Las Vegas would be a newcomer to North America's major professional sports landscape. The Canadian Football League had a brief foray into Las Vegas during its failed U.S.-expansion bid in 1994. The Las Vegas Posse lasted just one season in town.

In Quebec City, the publicly funded, 18,259-seat Videotron Centre is set to open in September. It replaces the small and outdated Colisee, which previously served home to the Nordiques, who relocated to Colorado to become the Avalanche in 1995. Quebecor manages and owns the naming rights to the new arena.

With Quebec City, the NHL would add an eighth Canadian franchise.

Quebec City is but a 2-1/2 hour drive from Montreal and a team there would re-establish what was a once-heated provincial rivalry with the Canadiens.

The potential additions would lead to the NHL tweak its divisional alignment, though it's uncertain whether it would result in a major change to the league's unbalanced conference setup. The Eastern Conference currently features 16 teams, two more than the West.

Bettman has previously said that if a 16-14 split works, he doesn't see a reason why a 17-15 split wouldn't.

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

A's Toe the Rubber: Aaron Brooks vs. Mark Buehrle
Morning Minute: Giants snap skid; A's fall, Curry talks Team USA
Giants Toe the Rubber: Scott Feldman vs. Chris Heston
Belt looking to hit ball to all fields for best approach

Giants

Rewind: Bumgarner goes the distance in 'big game'
NL West Watch: Puig, Greinke lead Dodgers past Nationals
Instant Replay: Belt, Bumgarner power Giants over Astros
Giants notes: Club looking at Utley; Leake almost ready
Read More

Athletics

A's Toe the Rubber: Aaron Brooks vs. Mark Buehrle
Rewind: A's forgot to pack their defense in road trip opener
Instant Replay: Miscues cost Graveman, A's in loss to Jays
A's Toe the Rubber: Kendall Graveman vs. Drew Hutchison
Read More

Sharks

Police confirm investigation of Blackhawks' Kane
Police investigating Blackhawks star Patrick Kane
Sharks mailbag: Do Ward, Martin improve culture?
Sharks re-sign goalie Aaron Dell to one-year deal
Read More

49ers

Biz Ball: Is Levi's Stadium turf ready for heavy schedule?
Tomsula 'excited' to hear Davis plans to return to 49ers
Tomsula: Bowman expected to play Saturday at Texans
New offensive staff listens to 49ers' quarterbacks' voices
Read More

Raiders

Chargers slam San Diego's latest stadium proposal
Raiders' rookie TE Walford practicing for first time
Grubman: 'No viable proposal' for Raiders stadium in Oakland
Raiders could get creative with speedster Taiwan Jones
Read More

Warriors

Spike Lee narrates Steph Curry's story in NBA 2K16 promo
Newly acquired Thompson: Trade to Warriors 'God's plan'
Report: Warriors will host Cavaliers on Christmas Day
Speights 'trying to get body right,' wants 'consistent minutes'
Read More

NCAA

Trail Blazers guarantee contract for former CAL star Crabbe
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

Rewind: Bumgarner goes the distance in 'big game'
(3)
Alex Pavlovic

GIANTS VIDEO

Giants Toe the Rubber: Scott Feldman vs. Chris Heston
Giants Toe the Rubber: Scott Feldman vs. Chris Heston
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Rewind: Bumgarner goes the distance in 'big game'
  • Instant Replay: Belt, Bumgarner power Giants over Astros
  • Giants notes: Club looking at Utley; Leake almost ready
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

A's Toe the Rubber: Aaron Brooks vs. Mark Buehrle
CSN Bay Area staff

A's VIDEO

A's Toe the Rubber: Aaron Brooks vs. Mark Buehrle
A's Toe the Rubber: Aaron Brooks vs. Mark Buehrle
See more >

A's INSIDER

  • Rewind: A's forgot to pack their defense in road trip opener
  • Instant Replay: Miscues cost Graveman, A's in loss to Jays
  • Reviewing top A's prospects in new-look farm system
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Police confirm investigation of Blackhawks' Kane
ProHockeyTalk

SHARKS VIDEO

Kurz: With Jones in fold, Sharks still need help in several spots
Kurz: With Jones in fold, Sharks still need help in several spots
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Sharks mailbag: Do Ward, Martin improve culture?
  • Sharks still have plans to add to DeBoer's staff
  • Sharks to appear nationally 11 times on NBCSN
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Spike Lee narrates Steph Curry's story in NBA 2K16 promo
CSN Bay Area staff

WARRIORS VIDEO

1-on-1 with Jason Thompson: Adjusting to Warriors lineup
1-on-1 with Jason Thompson: Adjusting to Warriors lineup
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Newly acquired Thompson: Trade to Warriors 'God's plan'
  • Speights 'trying to get body right,' wants 'consistent minutes'
  • Warriors save money in trade, plan to keep Thompson
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Cousins, Gay to attend USA Basketball minicamp in Vegas
CSN Bay Area staff

Kings Video

Sim Bhullar reveals he's 25-30 pounds lighter entering Summer League
Sim Bhullar reveals he's 25-30 pounds lighter entering Summer League
See more >

More Stories

Lieberman aboard Kings' coaching staff for 2015-16 season
(6)
Kings offer assistant coaching position to Nancy Lieberman
(1)
See more >
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

Biz Ball: Is Levi's Stadium turf ready for heavy schedule?
(2)
Rick Horrow

49ers VIDEO

Tomsula breaks down quarterback communication
Tomsula breaks down quarterback communication
See more >

49ers INSIDER

  • Tomsula 'excited' to hear Davis plans to return to 49ers
  • Tomsula: Bowman expected to play Saturday at Texans
  • New offensive staff listens to 49ers' quarterbacks' voices
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Chargers slam San Diego's latest stadium proposal
Associated Press

RAIDERS VIDEO

Walford 'picked it right up' during first practice with Raiders
Walford 'picked it right up' during first practice with Raiders
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • Raiders' rookie TE Walford practicing for first time
  • Grubman: 'No viable proposal' for Raiders stadium in Oakland
  • Raiders could get creative with speedster Taiwan Jones
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

English Premier League extends deal with NBC for six years
(1)
Associated Press

Quakes Video

But Seriously: How do women's sports improve audience?
But Seriously: How do women's sports improve audience?
See more >

Quakes Shop

JOE STIGLICH

Rewind: A's forgot to pack their defense in road trip opener
(2)
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

Rewind: Bumgarner goes the distance in 'big game'
(3)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Tomsula 'excited' to hear Davis plans to return to 49ers
(29)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Raiders' rookie TE Walford practicing for first time
(4)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Newly acquired Thompson: Trade to Warriors 'God's plan'
(40)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks mailbag: Do Ward, Martin improve culture?
(11)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Geno Smith: 35 years of Jets tradition continues

ENTER TO WIN A'S TICKETS!

more

Watch our A's Baseball Breakfast broadcasts to find out how to win free tickets!

SAY HEY TUESDAY

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

NCAA

San Jose State dismisses WR after domestic battery arrest
Report: After assaults, Fisher bans FSU players from bars

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • GolfChannel.com
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

A's Toe the Rubber: Aaron Brooks vs. Mark Buehrle
A's Toe the Rubber: Aaron Brooks vs. Mark Buehrle
See more >

ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING

  • G-Mag
  • All A's
  • Carpool Confessions
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Alex Pavlovic - Giants
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California