With the league generating increasing revenue year over year, Bettman is rapidly pushing the idea of expansion for the league. He is trying to expand the amount of teams in the league so he can maximize the money being brought in to the sport.
Expansion seems imminent for the sport, with Bettman pushing the idea through to the other owners at the owners' meeting. The most likely candidates for expansion are cities that have been thrown around a lot in the past, looking like one of these ideas could be actualized very soon.
Not only have the main cities been chosen, but now the ownership groups have been revealed as well. If the owners approve the expansion of the NHL, they will have to bid for the ability to take the team.
The next Board of Governors meetings will be on October 1st and December 10th, with any progress on the matter having to take place during those meetings.
It's likely that we'll know the outcome during this season with the way things are being pushed, but I highly doubt it would be before playoffs. There are lots of moving parts still in play, on top of the fact that the board of governors may strike the plans down entirely.
POLL | ||
Where would you want the next franchise? | ||
Houston | 19 | 18.4 % |
Atlanta | 8 | 7.8 % |
Quebec City | 65 | 63.1 % |
Other | 11 | 10.7 % |
List of polls |