[peg_city]

TheStar.com - Sports - Expansion looming for NHL to Vegas, K.C.

With Basille recent offer for buying the Nashville Predators for a reported 238 million dollars the NHL has brought up the idea of cashing in and expanding to 32 teams. Obviously the Nashville Predators aren't worth 238 million, forbes has them at 132 million while the last NHL team sold (Anaheim Mighty Ducks) were sold for 75 million. With Basille recent offer the price for a expansion team has pretty much doubled over night (blue jackets cost John H. McConnell and Ron Pizzuitti 80 million).

The Rumored cities are Las Vegas where Jerry Bruckheimer (CSI, Amazing Race Producer) who is partnered with the Los Angeles Kings governor Tim Leiweke has contact the NHL about a possible team. Also rumored is Kansas City where Tim Leiweke (same guy who is the governor of the Kings) has offered the NHL a rent free arena if a team is put in the Sprint Center which opens in October.


A few more notes:

*Bob McCown from the fan 590 in Toronto has reported Winnipeg has been rejected as a possible expansion city

*The Oilers had an offer of 145 million which was turned down

[Phils20]

I wouln't expand again. Not unless they can get a better TV package. Infomercials are getting better ratings.

And I'ma big hockey fan, I'm not trying to bash. It just kills me that others don't "get" hockey. The "VS" deal just hasn't worked out.

[ThePundit]

Like I said before, the NHL should be contracting - not expanding.

[blueandwhite]

Originally Posted by peg_city

The Rumored cities are Las Vegas where Jerry Bruckheimer (CSI, Amazing Race Producer) who is partnered with the Los Angeles Kings governor Tim Leiweke has contact the NHL about a possible team.

NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Bruckheimer will some day rule the world.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

NNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Bruckheimer will some day rule the world.

He just wants a mix of shows...picture NHL players racing around the world ...the winners earning home ice advantage for the playoffs...that sort of thing...it will be good for hockey...you'll see...

[blueandwhite]

This is just one of the worst things I've ever heard.
I know, it's a business, I'm not naive - but what interest could bruckheimer possibly have in ice hockey?
But I couldn't have chosen someone better to represent vegas. he's all image, $$$ and emptiness.
I wish it would snow-I need to be bathed in a blanket of white right now.

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by blueandwhite

This is just one of the worst things I've ever heard.
I know, it's a business, I'm not naive - but what interest could bruckheimer possibly have in ice hockey?
But I couldn't have chosen someone better to represent vegas. he's all image, $$$ and emptiness.
I wish it would snow-I need to be bathed in a blanket of white right now.

Hey now...I have been known to watch the Amazing Race...come on...remember when Rob and Amber almost won, but they held back that flight and the other couples made it?...it's almost like hockey...well, if you squit really hard and keep thinking of snow...maybe...

[blueandwhite]

ARG. I can't stand Rob and Amber.

[bran2win]

Personally, I think some of the teams now don't have the support they need to be successful. Much less, wanting to add teams! Besides, could Orlando really have they much support for hockey. Maybe, I'm wrong, who knows.

[oggie oglethorpe]

although i can see why there would be interest to bring a hockey team to Las Vegas, i think what they are betting on is that they would get most of their attendance from the tourists of vegas, not the locals, however, with so much to do in vegas i dont think going to a hockey game would be on the top of the list for tourists, it would be on top of mine, but for most people it wouldnt. EXPAND TO CANADA ALREADY, WHATS THE HOLD UP!!!!! we love hockey, and we crave hockey, please give us more teams.

[peg_city]

The hold up in Canada is there is no one willing to pony up 200 million for a team besides Basille. In Vegas and Kansas you have owners wanting a sport to fill the arena or a city wanting a major league sports franchise. Las Vegas compared to Winnipeg you have potential to make money in Vegas. An owner in Winnipeg would have to fork out 200 million and understand they will never get it back. I am really starting to come to the realization that Bettman and company do not have a plan for this league. The only thing that they are concerned about is increasing revenue now, which is why the NHL will allow Basille to buy a team for way more then its worth so he can move it which will inturn drive the expansion fees up and the asking price for a team. The possibility for expanding has always been there but the time is right to cash in. Vegas will probable fail which is why no league has considered bring a team there while Kansas already failed horribly lasting only 2 season and will fail again.