Las Vegas granted NHL franchise - update post 212

[Ratty]

According to AP and www.tsn.ca Las Vegas has been awarded an expansion franchise subject to a $500 million payment to the League.

Click to read more...

 

[Fenway]

I can assure you that if AP is reporting that then the source is either Daly or Bettman. AP is very strict on sourcing.

 

[hoss75]

Interesting. I think it's more feasible than many of their more recent choices.

 

[EverettMike]

The product the NHL has put out the last two years has been an abomination.

About to dilute it even more.

Gary Bettman sucks.

 

[DKH]

seems like such a bad idea- what is wrong with Quebec and Seattle

actually it probably came about at a cocktail party during the NHL awards with Betman hypnotized by the movers and shakers of Vegas

I wish the Corrleone family owned this and Fredo was the GM

I cant think of a team with any less of a fan base than a Las Vegas team but at least when they leave for Atlanta or Seattle or wherever they already got a movie ready to go- Leaving Las Vegas

 

[Ratty]

The official announcement will not be made before June 22nd when the BOD meets for a formal vote.

The first expansion was appropriate since it brought in Americans who, heretofore had not been recruited to the original six franchises. The second expansion brought in Europeans in large numbers to help fill the additional roster spots.

There have been incremental additions to the League since, but no additional talent pool to draw from. I am concerned that skilled players will not be in sufficient supply to attract fans, thereby hurting the overall financial status of the League.

No doubt the owners are happy. That $500 m into their pockets will be a nice gift.

 

[BruinsCupNow]

The product the NHL has put out the last two years has been an abomination.

About to dilute it even more.

Gary Bettman sucks.

I won't quarrel with you about the quality of the product, Mike - if you're not entertained, you're not entertained. But I disagree with you completely that the problem is a talent deficiency. Players today are stronger, faster, and more skilled than ever before - and at every position.

Whatever is making hockey less fun or less watchable is about rules, or coaching, or other structural problems. I don't believe for a moment that adding in another team or two is going to dilute the talent pool in any significant way. There are a lot of good hockey players out there (which makes me wonder even more about the Bruins' defence corps this past year!). The issue is what the league can do to promote a better balance of (your choice of) skill/speed/violence...

--BCN

 

[Ratty]

seems like such a bad idea- what is wrong with Quebec and Seattle

actually it probably came about at a cocktail party during the NHL awards with Betman hypnotized by the movers and shakers of Vegas

I wish the Corrleone family owned this and Fredo was the GM

I cant think of a team with any less of a fan base than a Las Vegas team but at least when they leave for Atlanta or Seattle or wherever they already got a movie ready to go- Leaving Las Vegas

The franchise already has a committed fan base with 10,000 + season tickets promised, so they say.

But, think of the fun of taking in a Bs road game in the City of Sin, instead of Pittsburgh or Columbus.

 

[shackattack]

But not Quebec?

 

[JoeIsAStud]

Disappointed if they only do 1 because it is inevitable there will be 2, and the Bruins are likely much better suited for an expansion draft next Spring then they will be in 2-4 years when the prospects develop

 

[shackattack]

Bettman cares less about product He is a lawyer who only cares bout $$$$$$$$$$.Glad Calgary mayor told him where to go.

 

[ODAAT]

The product the NHL has put out the last two years has been an abomination.

About to dilute it even more.

Gary Bettman sucks.

/thread

 

[Estlin]

The NHL really ought to contract by a couple of teams. The season is too long and there are players in the league who have no business being on the ice. I think that Las Vegas is a novelty franchise that will inevitably end up like Phoenix. Yet, the owners will get to line their pockets with some expansion money—and that's what driving this decision.

 

[finchster]

Las Vegas will sell out all the time, no one will be in the stands but casinos will buy the tickets as comps.

 

[ODAAT]

Las Vegas will sell out all the time, no one will be in the stands but casinos will buy the tickets as comps.

yep, one year where there will be humans in the seats, year two, crickets

 

[hoss75]

The franchise already has a committed fan base with 10,000 + season tickets promised, so they say.

But, think of the fun of taking in a Bs road game in the City of Sin, instead of Pittsburgh or Columbus.

14,000 out of 17,500 tickets have deposits on them and all of the suites have been reserved
in a brand spanking new, state of the art, T-Mobile Arena located right off the Vegas strip.

The city is fired up for this.

 

[wintersej]

The official announcement will not be made before June 22nd when the BOD meets for a formal vote.

The first expansion was appropriate since it brought in Americans who, heretofore had not been recruited to the original six franchises. The second expansion brought in Europeans in large numbers to help fill the additional roster spots.

There have been incremental additions to the League since, but no additional talent pool to draw from. I am concerned that skilled players will not be in sufficient supply to attract fans, thereby hurting the overall financial status of the League.

No doubt the owners are happy. That $500 m into their pockets will be a nice gift.

Except, you know, normal population growth. The US alone has grown by 100 million since the Bluejackets joined the league. Bad argument.

 

[ODAAT]

14,000 out of 17,500 tickets have deposits on them and all of the suites have been reserved
in a brand spanking new, state of the art, T-Mobile Arena located right off the Vegas strip.

The city is fired up for this.

question is......


.....for how long?

 

[Don Cherry*]

The team will be named "Operation Slapshot" and Rick Tocchet will be GM.

 

[smithformeragent]

Would have much preferred they moved the Coyotes and kept it at 30 teams.

Perfect world they would have contracted two clubs for four divisions of seven clubs.

Follow the money trail...

 

[BMC]

I can only imagine what the team will called....

 

[BMC]

Would have much preferred they moved the Coyotes and kept it at 30 teams.

Perfect world they would have contracted two clubs for four divisions of seven clubs.

Follow the money trail...

There is no way the Board of Governors is going to turn down $500 million just to establish a team. Jeremy Jacobs must be salivating at the thought of his share.

 

[DKH]

The franchise already has a committed fan base with 10,000 + season tickets promised, so they say.

But, think of the fun of taking in a Bs road game in the City of Sin, instead of Pittsburgh or Columbus.

Hey I'm already thinking of going to that game.

Didn't Atlanta the second time have that amount as well

If they are in Vegas in 10 years I'll be surprised

 

[DKH]

I can only imagine what the team will called....

I thought it was already named? Las Vegas Slots

 

[BMC]

I thought it was already named? Las Vegas Slots

I don't know. If that is the name that's pretty tame for a team in Las Vegas