Las Vegas, Quebec Ask NHL for Teams

The National Hockey League confirmed Tuesday that it received franchise applications from Las Vegas and Quebec City. A total of 16 individuals and groups requested applications since since the application period opened July 6. “Our purpose, in initiating the expansion process in the manner we did, was not only to explore the possibility of admitting new members to the NHL but also, at the outset, to set realistic guideposts to distinguish between bona fide expressions of interest[...] from those indications of potential interest which were, at best, merely hopes or aspirations,” the league said in a statement. “Apparently, only Mr. [Bill] Foley and Quebecor have the confidence in their ability to secure an arena and suitable ownership capability to move forward with this process.” Foley, a real-estate investor, and Quebecor face two more stages of document submission.