It looks like the NHL has won the race to put a major professional sports team in the city of Las Vegas.
Tuesday it was announced that the NHL has ‘settled’ on Las Vegas as being the choice for a 31st NHL team, stemming from a meeting of League executives last week in New York the AP reports:
A person with direct knowledge of the NHL’s decision says the league has settled on Las Vegas as its choice for expansion, provided organizers can come up with a $500 million fee.
The person spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because details have not been released by the league ahead of its Board of Governors meeting on June 22. Quebec City was also considered for expansion.
The League still has to get the vote of the Board of Governors however it’s very much assumed that particular committee will weigh heavily on the executive’s choice essentially making Vegas a ‘done deal’ for expansion.
Leading the charge for Sin City expansion is billionaire Bill Foley who reportedly has already committed himself to paying that $500 million dollar fee. Meanwhile it’s been mentioned that 13,000 deposits have already been placed for season tickets at the T-Mobile Arena which is expected will be the home to the new team.
So apparently the NHL has learned nothing in regards to the Arizona Coyotes and playing NHL hockey in the desert. Sure the still weak Canadian dollar is probably the reason why Quebec City will miss out on NHL expansion however there weren’t better locations within the continental United States for a new professional hockey team? And don’t let those 13,000 deposits for season tickets fool you. I’m sure we can all understand the excitement with new things ultimately though the shine wears off.
I understand you need investors like Mr. Foley to lead the charge but if the only option Las Vegas… wouldn’t the responsible thing to do based on past experiences be to pass?