Las Vegas gets OK to apply for NHL franchise
Despite the accomplishments he has achieved, the heavy lifting is still to come for businessman Bill Foley in his attempt to bring the NHL to Las Vegas after the league’s Board of Governors gave the go-ahead Wednesday to formally explore the possibility of expansion.
“Over the past several years, we have received numerous expressions of interest from potential markets and ownership groups that have indicated an interest in joining the National Hockey League,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said at the MGM Grand Garden before the league’s awards show. “The board decided to examine those expressions more formally and also to welcome any other groups or markets that may be considering pursuit of an NHL team.
“The fact that we are beginning this process does not necessarily mean that any expansion teams will be granted as a result of this process.”
But with the NHL giving Foley the green light to proceed, he will shift his efforts into high gear. There are still a few hurdles to clear before the city can celebrate what would be a historic moment that would come with the awarding of a major league sports franchise.
First, there’s the formal application next month to join the NHL. Then there’s the vetting process to make sure Foley and his ownership group, which includes the Maloof family, have the financial wherewithal to compete. And Foley will have to show the league’s 30 owners that Las Vegas is the right place for the NHL to expand to come 2017.
That part already might have been answered in that more than 13,200 season-ticket commitments have been made since Foley began his ticket drive in mid-February. He also has a lease agreement to play in the $375 million MGM Resorts-Anschutz Entertainment Group arena under construction behind New York-New York, something the owners will be interested in. He has bought a home in Summerlin, an indication he plans to be a local owner.
Oh, and he’ll be asked to write a check of approximately $500 million. That will be the easiest thing he has to do.
The NHL last expanded in 2000 when the Minnesota Wild and the Columbus Blue Jackets began play. Those two franchises paid $80 million apiece to join.
And while the cost to join the NHL appears to be going up, so, too, has the level of play in the past decade. That, more than anything else, might be the best shot Foley and other groups have of joining the NHL. The league is convinced the talent pool is large enough to handle expansion.
“I think the level has never been deeper,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. “The dilution of talent is not a factor.”
Hockey is a global sport, and there are talented players throughout the league who played in Europe. American college hockey never has been stronger, while the Canadian junior leagues churn out hundreds of talented players annually.
When the NHL conducts its draft Friday in Sunrise, Fla., the top two picks will be North Americans — center Connor McDavid of Erie of the Ontario Hockey League, who is expected to go to the Edmonton Oilers with the No. 1 pick, and Boston University center Jack Eichel, who is expected to be taken by the Buffalo Sabres with the No. 2 selection.
Foley would have to wait until 2017 to get his hands on a McDavid or an Eichel. That’s when any potential expansion team would begin play. As for the expansion process itself, Bettman does not expect it to be a lengthy one.
“I don’t see it being a long, drawn-out process,” he said. “We haven’t made any decision on number of teams for expansion. Let’s see what we get when it’s time to sign on the bottom line.”
And while Foley has been the most active and visible of the potential expansion candidates, Bettman said Foley does not have an edge on the competition.
“At this point, there is no list,” Bettman said. “There is no priority. It’s strictly ‘Let’s take a look.’ ”
The league also announced Wednesday it will adopt the 3-on-3 format for overtime, replacing the existing 4-on-4 setup. The NHL also approved a coach’s challenge for goals that were disputed from goaltender interference or offsides and clarifying what players are expected to do in lining up to take faceoffs. The rule changes will go into effect this season.
Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.