An ownership group officially filed the paperwork and paid the downpayment to bring an NHL team to the city of Seattle, Washington Tuesday night, according to multiple reports.
Seattle’s ownership group has formally filed its application and $10M downpayment for NHL expansion
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) February 13, 2018
BREAKING: The NHL CONFIRMS it has received Seattle’s Expansion Application.#Seattle #NHL #KeyArena
— Chris Daniels (@ChrisDaniels5) February 13, 2018
Excited to share the news that @OvgSeattle completed their application to the @NHL – one step closer to bringing another great sports team to our City and revitalizing @SeattleCenter #NHLtoSeattle pic.twitter.com/MOFVO1229I
— Mayor Jenny Durkan (@MayorJenny) February 13, 2018
Next steps for NHL on Seattle: Review of application, submission of additional information, league due diligence, review with the Executive Committee, recommendation to the Board
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 14, 2018
The @NHL has received Seattle’s expansion team application, and the ownership group made a $10M down payment for the expansion. The cost of the team would be $650 million.
— Kathryn Tappen (@KathrynTappen) February 14, 2018
This is awesome for Seattle. They got the Supersonics brutally ripped away from them several years ago, and the people of the city have been clamoring to get another pro team. Getting an NHL expansion team is way cooler than getting a new NBA team, which isn’t likely to happen.
Seattle has some of the most passionate fans in all of sports. Just look at the Seahawks if you’re curious whether or not the fanbase is willing to get wild. Playing football at CenturyLink Field is hell for Seahawks opponents. Players going up against Russell Wilson and company would rather be anywhere else on the planet, and the fans are a huge part of that experience.
I have no doubt that the rowdy people of Washington will show up and show out for a new NHL team. Someday I hope to have the opportunity to celebrate an NHL being brought to Wisconsin. That would be an exciting feeling.