OVG files for NHL expansion to Seattle

According to Chris Daniels of KING5-TV, OVG has officially submitted their application to bring the NHL to the city of Seattle. This news comes sooner than most anticipated as talks between prospective owners Jerry Bruckheimer and David Bonderman and the city of Seattle have been heating up.

Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for The New York Times

The expansion application will allow Seattle to join the NHL as early as the 2020 season. With the application submitted, the next hurdle will be a season ticket drive in the near future to prove to the NHL the economic viability of an NHL team and signal local level of interest.

On December 7th, 2017 the NHL gave OVG the go-ahead to begin their application and while some have speculated progress was being made the submission comes earlier than most anticipated.

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan confirmed the news via twitter and a minute later Seattle social media was buzzing at the prospect of the NHL coming to the Pacific Northwest.

“OVG has submitted to the NHL the formal application papers required to pursue an expansion franchise for Seattle.” Oak View CEO Tim Leiweke said in a statement. “We are excited for the next steps in the process and our continued partnership with the City of Seattle.”

After a ticket drive Seattle would likely face the same expansion process as Las Vegas did according to NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman when they joined the league in 2017. If you’re curious as to what an expansion draft looks like from a rules standpoint, we here at Seattle Sin Bin got you covered!

Today is an exciting day for hockey fans in the region and is just the latest in several important steps to bring professional hockey to the Emerald City for the first time in nearly 100 years.

Update

Daniels has confirmed with the NHL that they have received the expansion application for Seattle.

Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada also confirms that the application and $10 million application fee have been submitted.