LAS VEGAS (AP) — The NHL is officially exploring expansion.
Commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday that the league is opening an expansion review process to consider whether to add new franchises to its 30-team league. Bettman cited Las Vegas, Seattle and Quebec City as the markets that have expressed the most serious interest.
The Board of Governors decided that the NHL will take formal applications for a new franchise starting July 6 and closing Aug. 10. The league hasn't made decisions on a timeline, any terms of expansion or the number of clubs to be added.
The NHL doesn't anticipate adding any teams before the 2017-18 season, Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly says.
Bettman indicated that an expansion fee would be at least $500 million to be distributed among the existing clubs.
"Over the past several years we have received numerous expressions of interest from potential markets and ownership groups that have indictaed an interest in joining the National Hockey League," Bettman said in a statement released Wednesday.
Bettman said the NHL Board of Governors decided to examine those expressions of interest from potential markets and ownership groups.
"The fact that we are beginning this process does not necessarily mean that any expansion teams will be granted as a result of this process," Bettman said.
The NHL's decision to explore expansion comes after businessman and potential Las Vegas team owner Bill Foley received permission late last year to begin a trial season ticket drive.
Foley has topped the 13,000 mark in deposits, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Foley was not in attendance at Wednesday's Board of Governors meeting or the NHL Awards.
AEG and MGM Resorts International are building a new arena between Monte Carlo and New York, New York casinos on the Strip. The arena will be able to accomodate an NHL or NBA team, or both.
The Las Vegas Arena is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2016.
The NHL's decision to consider proposals for ownership groups, including Las Vegas, interested in acquiring an expansion team was met with praise from the American Gaming Association.
"(The) announcement reflects a progressive view of casino gaming and marks a stark contrast with the NFL's recent decision to force the cancellation of a fantasy sports event at a Las Vegas casino," Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the AGA, said.
Freeman said the trade-group applauds the NHL for considering Las Vegas. He said the decision recognizes "that gaming is a heavily regulated, Fortune 500 industry approved by 90 percent of Americans."
The NHL, NFL, NBA, and Major League Baseball have been cautious about placing a team in Las Vegas, because of the state's regulated race and sports betting business.
Last year, betting on sporting events rose 7.7 percent to $3.9 billion, and revenue hit a record jumping 11.8 percent to $227 million, according to the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
KNPR producer Chris Sieroty contributed to this report