The report suggests the announcement will be made official on June 22nd, that Las Vegas will be the only market getting an expansion team this time ’round, and their first season would be set for 2017-18.
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Black Knight Sports And Entertainment earlier declared that it had received season ticket deposits from over 14,000 people alongside National Hockey League approval to play in the T-Mobile Arena behind the New York-New York Hotel And Casino.
According to a source briefed on the NHL’s decision with the Associated Press, the National Hockey League expanding to Las Vegas is a “done deal”.
The NHL’s Executive Committee voted unanimously to recommend expansion to Las Vegas, meaning the final hurdle for the franchise comes June 22 in the Nevada city.
Vegas beat out Quebec City to land the new expansion franchise.
The worst-kept secret in hockey is becoming less secret by the minute: The Associated Press reported on Tuesday that the NHL will expand to Las Vegas and leave Quebec City on the back burner. Foley has over 13,000 season ticket pledges for his 20,000-seat T-Mobile Arena just off The Strip.
Las Vegas is the largest metropolitan area without a professional sports team and concerns over corruption related to the city’s gambling industry have largely vanished. David Beckham met with the group in April, and the English soccer superstar suggested Vegas would be a candidate for an MLS team with that new field.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the next step in the process is for the NHL’s full board of governors to approve the expansion plans, which is expected to happen soon. Because you know, no better place to play hockey other than the Mojave Desert.
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Foley hasn’t said what he will call his new team, but the bid is run by a company named Black Knight Sports and Entertainment, the same name as his financial services company.
