Ever wonder what it would take to own an NHL team? How much it would take to just fill out an application for a team? Well wonder no longer. SI.com has the answers to both of those questions.
The application to apply for an NHL expansion team is $1 million. That effectively rules out 99.9% of America right there, and that is not even the cost to start a team. The NHL demands you pay $500 million to start an expansion team, and that is if you get chosen. Just because you have everything the NHL demands you have to start a team, such as money, stadium, city backing you, etc., the NHL can still decide to not allow your bid to go through for whatever reason.
That means the little guys such as Saskatoon are likely out because the price tag is simply too big. Bigger cities, like Kansas City, are now questioning whether an NHL team is worth such a big risk, especially due to the debacle that is the Coyotes. Prospective owners, like the ones in Houston, are bailing out due to the amount of money they would have to take out of their wallets for a team that they do not need to stay rich.
For fans, though, this is good news. By August 10, all applications will be submitted, and there is a real chance we could see a couple new NHL teams by 2016. It also means that the Coyotes could find a new home for next season. The expansion would be the first since the 2000-2001 season, and will be further proof of the NHL’s growth in recent years.
As for specific cities still in the running, the numbers are dwindling. The cities Las Vegas, Toronto and Seattle have made plans to submit an application.
Las Vegas has been the favorite really since the beginning. It is one of the biggest entertainment capitals of the world, and has the arena for a NHL team. MGM Grand Garden already holds a preseason game, and would be ripe for the picking as a NHL arena. According to CBS sports, Las Vegas had a season-ticket drive to see how many pledges they would get and received more than 10,000.
Quebec City does not have to worry about fan support if the NHL returns to Quebec. The city is almost synonymous with hockey, with greats like Patrick Roy growing up in the city. The rivalry between Quebec City and Montreal can be reignited. The NHL has been taking steps to play up rivalries, including the division realignment and NBC’s “Rivalry Night,” so bringing back one of the most significant rivalries in hockey history makes too much sense.
Seattle remains in the picture, with Chris Hansen the likely leader of the potential ownership group. Although Seattle wants an NBA team, the NBA is not in position to expand, while the NHL is a viable option. The city has a history of hockey, being the first US team to win the Stanley Cup in 1917, and has a fan base in the area for hockey.
Toronto is the biggest city in Canada, and could more than handle another NHL team. Graeme Roustan announced that he would apply to bring a second NHL team to Toronto, which puts them in the running. The new team can give a spark of life to Toronto, since the Maple Leafs has been struggling in recent years.