:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49855737/110926681.0.jpg)
At 11:30 MST Tuesday, the Associated Press reported the NHL would expand into Las Vegas, per an anonymous source. The deal is contingent on the proposed ownership group raising the full $300 million expansion fee and approval by the NHL Board of Governors, who will convene on June 22nd in Sin City.
The news comes almost a year following the first rumors of expansion. Cities like Seattle, Quebec City, and a second team in Toronto were considered, but it appears Las Vegas won the hearts of the owners. It will be the first time the NHL has expanded since 2000, when the Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets were added to the league. The Las Vegas franchise will bring the team total to 31 and work to further balance between the Western Conference and the sixteen-team East.
Adrian Dater reports the NHL has already told teams $10 million can be added to their books, with another $6 million later on. How this would effect the salary cap is yet to be determined.
One other Vegas expansion note:I'm told teams being quietly notified that $10 million can be added to internal budgets with $6.6 more later
— Adrian Dater (@adater) June 2, 2016
More to come as this story develops.