Expansion and Vegas
Bettman on expansion within five years: “It’s possible, but I wouldn’t guarantee it.”
— Jesse Spector (@jessespector) April 24, 2015
Bettman on Vegas: “We’re not going to vote to expand in June. It’ll be whether the board wants to pursue it.”
— Jesse Spector (@jessespector) April 24, 2015
Nothing really new other than Bettman confirming what we heard from Scott Burnside earlier this week. If you want to take the Seattle optimist view, you can hope that Seattle is part of the “pursue it” conversation since Bettman has said that a ticket drive was not necessary in Seattle or Quebec.
Seattle Specifics
Bettman on Seattle: “The basketball team left. We think there’s a great opportunity.”
— Jesse Spector (@jessespector) April 24, 2015
This is the most direct comment I have ever read or heard from Bettman on the opportunity for NHL in Seattle. We have known the NHL has wanted to be here but Bettman usually phrases things with “There is some interest…” or “we haven’t studied the market”. It might not seem like much but this is progress.
#NHL commish Bettman says #Seattle FEIS not enuf, expansion look starts when “You’ve got your approvals, you’ve got your financing.”
— Geoff Baker (@GeoffBakerTIMES) April 24, 2015
Bettman: “Before Seattle can get the serious consideration as a hockey market … (They need) a viable plan to build an arena.”
— Jesse Spector (@jessespector) April 24, 2015
Bettman says waiting for #Seattle group to step up with a plan. “In Las Vegas, there’s steel coming out of the ground.” #NHL#expansion
— Geoff Baker (@GeoffBakerTIMES) April 24, 2015
#NHL commish Bettman says #Seattle Mayor Murray told him in Jan meeting there “mightbe greater flexibility” on MOU front.
— Geoff Baker (@GeoffBakerTIMES) April 24, 2015
Very consistent with what we have heard from Geoff Baker, Chris Daniels, the Mayor and the limited comments we have heard from the NHL. Hearing it all wrapped up together from the NHL is dare I say, encouraging. There are a couple things that can fall into place over the next 2 months. The Final Environmental Impact Study of the SoDo Arena due on May 7th. If Victor Coleman is still the NHL front man in that deal, we should expect to some of those details to emerge on getting the financing for an NHL first scenario. Additionally, the Tukwila (or Bellevue) plan could emerge to compete with the SoDo plan. SoDo still has some hurdles so whether it is a competing plan or a backup plan, I am all for it.
Get ready for a wild 60 days.