Vancouver Sun

Seattle in mix for NHL expansion

- The Associated Press

NHL commission­er Gary Bettman says the league’s board of governors has agreed to consider an expansion applicatio­n from Seattle.

Bettman said the expansion fee has been set at $650 million for Seattle, which would become the league’s 32nd team if approved. He made the announceme­nt Thursday after the first day of the board of governors meeting.

Bill Foley paid a $500-million expansion fee for the Vegas Golden Knights before they began play this season.

Seattle plans to have a new arena ready by 2020 with the intent of luring NHL and NBA teams as anchor tenants.

Bettman says Seattle is the only city being considered for expansion at the moment, which means an NHL team likely won’t be playing in Quebec City in the foreseeabl­e future.

“Obviously, there a lot of difference­s between Seattle and Quebec City, not the least of which is our conference alignment,” Bettman said.

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