It is warm in Tampa, and so is the talk about the NHL's potential next expansion franchise.
The All-Star Weekend is dominated by stars, and Seattle's fast-moving arena proposal and expansion application is one of the top stories as well.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman acknowledged late Saturday that he expects the Oak View Group-led application for a Seattle NHL team to be filed soon.
"The good people in Seattle who are in pursuit potentially of an expansion franchise have told us that they are working on the expansion application and they anticipate being ready to file it in the not-too-distant future. The timetable in terms of filing the expansion application, doing season ticket drive, is largely up to them. We can respond to the extent that we're getting the information we need on a timely basis, whatever that timetable is, so that we can go through the processes that we have," said Bettman in a response to KING 5.
Bettman also indicated that any new franchise would likely have the same expansion draft as did the Vegas Golden Knights, which started this year and have been a smashing success. They currently have the best record in the Western Conference Standings.
In the hallways of the Amelie Arena, it was clear the topic was part of a short Board of Governors meeting, with owners and executives asking questions about the status of the deal and the proposal itself. It is also clear that league leaders are bullish on Seattle's prospects.
One of them is Vegas Golden Knights Team President Kerry Bubolz. He raved about Seattle's prospects, and the $660 million arena deal in an interview with KING 5.
"Obviously, you're talking about one of the top markets in the country - two other major teams that do incredibly well, the Sounders on the soccer side. You guys understand what professional sports does. I think it's the perfect fit. With the Sonics gone for a decade now, it's the perfect time - with a great new development, with the changes they're going to make, a Key arena, and the investments they are going to make."
(Editors Note: You'll see more of the interviews out of Tampa in the coming days on KING 5 platforms)
