Las Vegas’ Bill Foley not fazed by report of NHL looking at Seattle franchise
Bill Foley knows he’s playing a waiting game with the NHL in his attempt to bring an expansion franchise to Las Vegas. But with the news coming out of Seattle about two possible arena proposals, it’s possible that Foley may have to wait a little longer.
The Seattle Times reported that the NHL is keeping an eye on a proposed arena in Seattle’s Sodo District that hedge fund manager Chris Hansen is looking to build. If the NHL were to wait on Seattle, it could be 2018-19 before the team could begin play.
Foley has his sights set on playing in 2017, if not sooner. But he may have to wait longer if Seattle becomes in play.
“I’m aware of what’s going on (in Seattle) but in my communication with the league, our situation isn’t dependent on third parties,” Foley said Tuesday. “We believe we’re in good shape and we’re proceeding as if we will play in 2017.”
Both Las Vegas and Quebec City have already submitted bids that have been vetted by the league. The expansion fee is expected to be $500 million.
Seattle did not enter the bid process last July. However, it remains a market the NHL is interested in and by settling into a holding pattern on expansion, the NHL can buy some time to see what happens with the Seattle arena issue.
In addition to the Hansen Sodo proposal, there is also a proposal to renovate Key Arena, the former home of the NBA’s Supersonics who now play in Oklahoma City. That renovation is projected to cost $285 million according to the Times, citing an architectural report. There is a vote expected in January by the Seattle City Council on the Hansen arena project and there is speculation the NHL is waiting to see how that vote turns out before it moves forward with any plans for expansion.
Hansen tried to purchase the Sacramento Kings from the Maloof family and had planned to relocate the team to Seattle. But the Maloofs ultimately sold the team to Vivek Ranadive, who is partnering with the city of Sacramento on a new downtown arena that kept the Kings in California’s capital.
While Hansen wants to build an arena, he reportedly isn’t interested in owning a hockey team. if that’s the case, a potential financier for an NHL team would have to be found. The Times claims that Los Angeles businessman Victor Coleman would be interested in being involved with bringing the NHL to Seattle.
The league’s Board of Governors is scheduled to meet Dec. 7 in Pebble Beach, Calif., and the league has already indicated no vote on expansion will take place at that meeting. However, depending on what happens in Seattle, the NHL could re-visit the issue and perhaps vote on expansion when the owners meet during the league’s All-Star weekend in Nashville at the end of January.
Foley said he will not attend the Dec. 7 meeting in California and has not yet been asked to attend the meeting in Nashville.
“I haven’t been invited,” he said. “Honestly, the only thing I’m worried about is Las Vegas and what’s under our control.
“I’m focused on trying to find a place to build our practice facility. I’m focused on the new arena and our fans who’ve put down deposits on season tickets.”
Contact reporter Steve carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.
