An Associated Press report on Tuesday that was later confirmed by the Las Vegas Review-Journal said putting a team in Las Vegas was a “done deal” after the recommendation of the NHL’s executive committee and provided organizers pay a $500 million fee.
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A two-third’s majority of the league’s 30 teams is required for final approval and the vote is expected June 22 at the NHL board of governors meeting. Quebec City was also considered for expansion.
If the plan is realized, the team would be the first pro team in any sport to call Las Vegas home, although Oakland’s Raiders of the NFL have held talks about a Las Vegas move and soccer star David Beckham met with the Raiders’ group earlier this year because a proposed new stadium in Las Vegas could potentially house both USA football and Major League Soccer teams. That year the Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets each paid $80 million to join the league. With Vegas’ population just over 583,000 (2010), Vegas is primed to become a thriving professional sports city.
“They’ll have no trouble selling tickets in Las Vegas”, Foley said. “Having a professional hockey team will not only boost our economy, but also our sense of community pride”. “I’m excited, but I’m waiting for the official announcement from the National Hockey League”.
This expansion will have a major impact on the rest of the League for obvious reasons. We deserve major league sports. Phil Kessel is a Stanley Cup Champion and hockey is heading to Las Vegas, odd year for the NHL, indeed.
And Bloomberg TV takes an analytic look at how a team in Vegas might play as well.
Foley hasn’t indicated what he might call his new franchise, but most believe it will be the Las Vegas Black Knights. This large tourists number would not only expand the market to new USA fans, but also across global borders. The T-Mobile center opened in April and was funded entirely by private money.
Quebec City was apparently considered but due to concerns regarding the dipping Canadian dollar, as well as the geographical imbalance which would result, the league has chose to take a pass for now.
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Hockey is headed to the desert. Foley’s bid is run by Black Knight Sports and Entertainment, which is the same name as Foley’s financial services company.
