Las Vegas, Quebec City deliver expansion pitches

Las Vegas remains the favorite to be granted an expansion team that would start play in the 2017-18 season given the groundswell of support from the community and the fact the NHL would be the first major professional sports league to be based in the popular resort and gambling city.

He added that Monday night’s game in Quebec City’s new arena between the Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins gave their argument a few weight. Both bids were required to wire a $10 million (U.S.) expansion application fee, with $2 million of that being non-refundable.

The sinking dollar was one reason the Nordiques moved to Colorado to become the Avalanche in 1995. “We understand the interest that the people in Quebec City have for hockey”. Mulroney, 76, is the chairman of Quebecor Inc.

Quebec City and Las Vegas have successfully reached Phase III of the NHL expansion process, which earned their representatives an audience with the League’s executive committee in New York on Tuesday. “Pretty animated. It was interesting”.

“We thought it went really well”, Foley said. “There are a lot of issues and questions that are going to have to be answered before any decision can be made”. It was a complete presentation. “I felt like the questions were supportive of a team coming to Las Vegas, but there was no commitment at this point”. “They saw the excitement and the beauty of the new (Videotron Centre)”.

Mulroney said there was “a lot of enthusiasm in the room”.

The members of the BOG executive committee are: Murray Edwards (Calgary Flames), Jeremy Jacobs (Boston Bruins), Peter Karmanos (Carolina Hurricanes), Craig Leipold (Minnesota Wild), Ted Leonsis (Washington Capitals), Henry Samueli (Anaheim Ducks), Ed Snider (Philadelphia Flyers), Larry Tanenbaum (Toronto Maple Leafs), Jeff Vinik (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Rocky Wirtz (Chicago Blackhawks).

According to league deputy commissioner, Bill Daly, the executive committee will report to the NHL Board of Governors.

The National Hockey League continues to explore the possibility of expansion but no firm timetable has been set for the process, Commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday at the fall Board of Governors meeting.

No vote on whether to extend any invitation or halt the expansion investigation process is expected on Tuesday. The executive committee could make its recommendation at the next meeting, scheduled for December 7 and 8 in Pebble Beach, Calif. AEG owns the Los Angeles Kings and will run the arena in Las Vegas.

In a statement released after presenting, Foley said the the group is thankful for the opportunity. It’s a step that’s being characterized as the most critical yet in the expansion process. Foley and the Quebecor group, which is driving that city’s bid, already have made deposits of $20 million and are prepared to pay the balance when asked. Bettman said he wasn’t overly concerned about the loonie being lowered. Their apparent willingness to collectively line the league’s owners’ pockets with $1 billion certainly helps.