NHL expansion process moves to 2nd phase for Quebec, Las Vegas
Companies responsible for bids confirmed continuation
The NHL expansion process will continue for Quebec and Las Vegas.
The only two cities that submitted successful bids prior to July's deadline have both been approved for the second phase.
Quebecor, the company responsible for Quebec City's bid, confirmed that the NHL retained their candidacy through a tweet sent on Wednesday afternoon.
We confirm that the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NHL?src=hash">#NHL</a> has retained Quebecor's candidacy for the 2nd phase of the expansion process. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Nordiques?src=hash">#Nordiques</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Quebec?src=hash">#Quebec</a> City
—@QuebecorBill Foley, who heads the Las Vegas bid, provided more insight into the process in a statement posted online.
"We are pleased to report that the NHL has invited us to participate in Phase II of the application process to secure an NHL team in Las Vegas," wrote Foley.
He went on to explain that during this process they will provide the league with additional information that will include details about the markets, as well as the arena plans.
Quebec City's new publicly-funded arena, the Videotron Centre, is expected to be completed in September. While an arena is also under construction on the Las Vegas strip.
As part of their applications, the two groups were required to submit a $10 million US down payment, $2 million of which was nonrefundable.
There are three phases involved prior to review and approval by the NHL's board of governors, but a new team is not likely to play until the 2017-18 season.