Gary Bettman raises expansion fee to an insane amount
The NHL's expansion to Seattle and Las Vegas have been resounding successes. The markets have flourished and because of this the league is already looking at other potential destinations. However it appears the league is going to be looking for a hefty payment from any potential suitors.
When the Seattle Kraken joined the NHL they paid an expansion fee of 650 million dollars. This climbed 150 million from the fee paid by the Golden Knights just a few years earlier.
Now NHL Insider Darren Dreger reports, Gary Bettman appears to have his sights set on a gigantic fee for the next possible franchise. Dreger reports the next expansion fee could be in the neighborhood of 2 billion dollars.
As the NHL continues to acknowledge, expansion is not a priority, however, sources suggest, if the league considers expansion in the next 5 years.$2 billion could be the number. 😳
According to Sportico's most recent valuations only 2 teams are currently valued at over 2 billion dollars (Toronto Maple Leafs/New York Rangers). A valuation of 2 billion dollars for a brand new potential franchise doesn't make sense in this neighborhood.
While it seems like Bettman has found another potential revenue stream for just the owners, it appears he may already be bungling what has so far been a successful expansion process.
Previously on HockeyUnplugged
POLL |
SEPTEMBRE 16 | 196 ANSWERS Gary Bettman raises expansion fee to an insane amount Does the NHL need more teams? |
Yes, expansion is great | 47 | 24 % |
No, we have the right number of teams | 78 | 39.8 % |
We need fewer teams | 71 | 36.2 % |
List of polls |
|
12 hours ago | By Graham Montgomery P.K. Subban Reveals Who's to Blame for the Penguins' Collapse |
|
13 hours ago | By Tom Banks Kyle Dubas Urged to Make Trade with the St. Louis Blues Following New Report |
|
14 hours ago | By Graham Montgomery Washington Capitals Make Beautiful Gesture in Honour of Mike Lange Against the Pittsburgh Penguins |
|
15 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente Former Penguins Marc-Andre Fleury Smashes Another NHL Record at the Age of 40 |
|
17 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente Pittsburgh Penguins Make Last-Minute Roster Moves Involving Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby |
|
17 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente Projected Lineup for Tonight's Game Against Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals |
|
19 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente Penguins Announce Roster Move Ahead of Tonight's Divisional Matchup |
|
20 hours ago | By Graham Montgomery Sidney Crosby's Status Revealed for Game vs. Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals |