Reiseplan » board of governors an update on World Cup

BOCA RATON, Fla. - By giving millionaire businessman Bill Foley the go-ahead to gauge interest in expanding to Las Vegas with a season-ticket drive, the NHL has opened the door to plenty of other questions in that market and others.In Las Vegas, theres the value of the impending season-ticket drive and its potential role in paving the way for a team in what would be the most unique market in hockey. In other places, like Quebec City and Seattle, it raises concerns about just how long they might have to wait.Foley isnt expected to begin the ticket drive until after the New Year, and at that point the NHL will have some input because theres no shortage of curiosity about Las Vegas.Mr. Foley, who is investing a considerable amount of time and effort in expressing his interest, wants to have a good idea as to whether or not its a good idea, commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday after the board of governors meeting wrapped up. Were interested to know the results, as well ... if he just wants people to sign a piece of paper and say Im interested, Im not sure thats the same as somebody taking a deposit.A mythical ticket drive — with no fans actually committing to buying — is unprecedented in the NHL. The Winnipeg Jets needed to show they could support a team before the board of governors approved the relocation of the Atlanta Thrashers, but this is something different.And its also different from what former Research In Motion CEO Jim Balsillie did when he listed season tickets for sale for the Nashville Predators, except in Hamilton, Ont. The league didnt take too kindly to that.The only other precedent, which was a bad precedent, was somebody went off without permission and did it in the context of moving an existing club that wasnt going to move, Bettman said.What this ticket drive will look like is not crystal clear. Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league was expecting to meet with Foleys people next week in New York.On Monday the board of governors raised no objections to Foleys request for the ticket drive, and the consensus seemed to be that theres no harm, no foul in watching the proceedings unfold in Las Vegas.When I heard it, it was like, Why not? Nashville Predators general manager David Poile said. Better to be safe than sorry, so to speak. Id never heard of that before. Its just a unique idea.So unique to Las Vegas, with its casinos, service industry and limited history of hosting pro sports teams, that theres no point in undergoing a similar exercise in Quebec City or Seattle.Quebec already has an arena on the way, a fan base that previously supported an NHL franchise and a potential owner in Quebecor. Seattle does not have an arena, nor a guaranteed owner, but it has become a burgeoning sports town with the NFLs Seahawks, MLBs Mariners and Sounders FC of MLS.With Las Vegas now at least given the opportunity to be the front-runner on NHL expansion, Quebec City and Seattle may ultimately have to wait until the league is willing to go to 32 teams. Or either city could be a landing spot for relocation.Small crowds at Florida Panthers games and the continued volatile Arizona Coyotes situation have opened up those franchises for talk about moving. But with Nordiques fans hoping the Panthers can head north from Sunrise, Bettman steadfastly maintained that the team was staying put.Nobody should be focusing on the Panthers as a relocation candidate. Period, Bettman said. Its inconsistent with everything we know and believe, its inconsistent with everything (owner) Vinnie Viola would be telling me and inconsistent meaning he has no intention of moving the club. He is committed to South Florida.The Panthers are averaging 8,849 fans a game, lowest in the NHL. Thats partially a product of the organization cutting back on giving out free tickets.Because of that, Bettman said hes not concerned about the crowd pictures at Panthers games showing so many empty seats because hes convinced this is the beginning of a business process for the team.If were having this conversation in two or three years, it might be a different issue, Bettman said. But I dont believe we will. I believe that this market will support the Panthers and that they will reform the way theyve done business over the last few years and I think the community with respond positively.The Coyotes have the rest of this campaign and three more seasons on their lease deal with Gila River Arena in Glendale. Whats under the microscope there is the sale of 51 per cent of the team to Andrew Barroway, which — according to reports — is falling apart.Bettman reiterated Tuesday that the sale was on track.All of the parties are interested in moving it along as quickly as they can, as are we, he said. But we have a process that we go through, and we have to check all the boxes.In order to expand, the NHL has to check a bunch of boxes, beginning with healthy business and 30 stable franchises. Daly said the Panthers and Coyotes were 100 per cent stable.Of course if that changes in the coming years, it wouldnt hurt to have one or two places thirsting for a team, like Montreal is right now in baseball. That could include Toronto getting a second team, something Daly said the Maple Leafs could not block.Theres no single veto right by any club in the league, Daly said. Its just a voting requirement.Beyond Las Vegas, Florida and Arizona, Bettman on Tuesday discussed the upcoming World Cup of Hockey and what next seasons outdoor games schedule could look like.Bettman also gave the board of governors an update on World Cup negotiations, which he called a work in progress. With the tournament likely to take place in Toronto in September 2016, he hopes to have an announcement within a couple of months.A more robust schedule of outdoor games could return next season, with Bettman estimating that there will be three or four. There are only two games this season — the Winter Classic in Washington and Stadium Series game in Santa Clara, Calif. — after six last year.Bettman said the interest in hosting an outdoor game has been overwhelming. Everybody wants one. The Winnipeg Free Press reported last year that the Jets were in line to have one, while the Avalanche, Wild and Bruins are considered possibilities.---Follow @SWhyno on TwitterNote to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version indicated Jim Balsillie listed season tickets for sale for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Ken Griffey Jersey . Pekovic had an MRI test Tuesday on his right ankle that revealed bursitis, which is inflammation of the fluid-filled pad that cushions the joint. Nelson Cruz Jersey . There are some early surprises in the race for the Hart Trophy, but two of the contenders are the leagues biggest stars over the past decade. There are many more players in contention for the awards than just the three that Ive named, and a good or bad week can easily alter the landscape, but through the first 20 or so games of the NHL season, this is how the awards races look to me. http://www.marinersrookiestore.com/Marin...ids-Jersey/.com) - Minnesota Vikings fans would surely concede Teddy Bridgewater is not Peyton Manning. Seattle Mariners Jerseys .Cameron sustained his third concussion in three seasons last week on a hit by Oakland safety Brandion Ross, who was fined $22,050 by the NFL for the helmet-to-helmet blow. Dee Gordon Jersey . LUCIE, Fla.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed goaltender Oscar Dansk, the 31st pick in the 2012 NHL draft, to a three-year, entry-level contract. A native of Tumba, Sweden, Dansk has spent the past two seasons with Erie of the Ontario Hockey League, compiling a 40-32-7 record with a 3.dddddddddddd5 goals-against-average, .897 save percentage and six shutouts in 85 appearances. Dansk was chosen as the top goaltender at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championships after posting five wins, a 1.79 GAA and .928 save percentage in helping Sweden win a silver medal. 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