For the first time since 1999 the NHL will be accepting bids to open up new franchises in interested cities, with Seattle close to the top of the list. Also expressing interest are Las Vegas, Quebec City, Kansas City and Southern Ontario, reports SportsNet. The cost to start a new franchise? No less than $500 million. "We haven't set a fee but based on the discussions I've had with ownership I don't think there would be any appetite to expand if the number didn't start with a five," said commissioner Gary Bettman. Bidding will start July 6, with the new teams expected to officially join the NHL in the 2017-2018 season.
On top of the fee to join, of course, is the cost of an arena. And then, for a bid here, there are the Seattle, Tukwila, wherever decisions to be made.