With the deadline having come and gone for submission of expansion applications, only two newcomers are standing in the queue: Quebec City and Las Vegas. Notably absent is Seattle, where the ongoing struggles between three competing groups of potential owners have scuttled any opportunity . . . at least for now. There are calls for the three groups to consolidate their efforts, which would make the potential $1 billion investment ($500 million in arena costs, $500 million in expansion fee) more attainable. Also absent from the table are any interests supporting a second Toronto-area franchise. That, of course, is a veritable hornet's nest of political intrigue, which we'll defer for later discussion.
Expansion Soon -- Musical Chairs to Follow
