Las Vegas needs arena for NHL to take root

The Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks were named after a movie, so maybe the Las Vegas Pirates or Titans would work as a moniker for a potential NHL franchise in Southern Nevada.

After all, Jerry Bruckheimer, who is heading a group of entertainment executives that has been in recent talks with the NHL about owning a team here, produced the successful "Pirates of the Caribbean" films and the sports flick "Remember the Titans."

An arena needs to arrive in Las Vegas before a team does, though, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said on Thursday.

"In order for the NHL to ever have a franchise in Las Vegas, they'd have to build a new state-of-the-art arena in Las Vegas. We're talking a couple years away, minimum," said Daly, who confirmed Bruckheimer and others have been in discussions with the league for the past six months.

"We've actually talked to a lot of different individuals who have interest in a franchise in Las Vegas, and Jerry is one of them," Daly said. "This is not just about Las Vegas. There's been an expression of interest from a number of individuals and entities in a number of different markets, and we'll update the (league's) board (of governors) with those and try to chart a course on how to deal with those."

The board is scheduled to meet on June 20 in New York.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said last week during the Stanley Cup Finals that the league isn't interested in expansion or relocation at this time, but if that position changes, Daly said Las Vegas is a viable option.

"I think Las Vegas is a very attractive market," Daly said. "But there are issues, with respect to gaming, the National Hockey League would have to address. That's certainly something the board would have to consider, but this is all very premature, and that's not something to discuss with the board at this point."

Canada offers state-sponsored lotteries, similar to parlay cards, in which the pubic can pick the outcomes of NHL games. The league doesn't endorse them.

"That's not something we're really happy about, but it's the government, and there's not a whole lot we can do about it," Daly said.

Although television ratings for the NHL are in decline, business is rising, Daly said.

"The TV ratings are down, but the health of the league has never been stronger," he said. "We will set another all-time high in revenues and attendance this season."

The process for building an arena in Las Vegas is under way.

Seven developer-led teams recently submitted letters of intent to build a downtown arena, and their proposals are due by June 28, said Bill Rhoda, whose consulting company -- Convention, Sports and Leisure (CSL) International -- has been hired by the city to solicit and evaluate proposals to develop a state-of-the-art event center.

Rhoda, whose company and city staff will evaluate the proposals, said he hopes to recommend a developer to the City Council by July 18.

Rhoda said a couple of months could be needed after that to negotiate a development agreement and up to a year to design the arena, which would seat between 18,000 and 20,000 fans and be capable of hosting an NHL or NBA team. Rhoda estimated 18 to 24 months would be necessary to build the arena.

Among the seven groups expected to submit proposals is the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), which owns and operates several major entertainment/sporting venues, including Staples Center and the Colosseum at Caesar's Palace. The company also is the world's largest owner of sports events and sports teams, including the NHL's Los Angeles Kings.

According to a report in Wednesday's SportsBusiness Daily, AEG has a "standing offer" to Bruckheimer that the company would develop, operate and possibly own the building in Las Vegas.

"Having AEG involved with the league has been good for the league," Daly said. "They're a big partner, and I know they're also involved in the arena business. They would be a good prospect if Las Vegas becomes a reality for us."