Watch above: Rumours of expansion are nothing new in the NHL, but recent reports suggest four new teams, including two in Canada, could be added by 2017. Mike Drolet has the story.
TORONTO – The National Hockey League is denying reports they are expanding the number of teams on its roster, including one in hockey mad Toronto.
Sports Business News’ Howard Bloom wrote in a tweet late Tuesday that the NHL could be adding new clubs in Quebec City, Toronto, Seattle and Las Vegas by 2017.
But NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly quashed those rumours on Wednesday.
“It’s not in our plans, there is absolutely nothing new to that,” Daly told French-language television station TVA Sports.
The NHL is estimated to pocket $1.4 billion in expansion fees by adding four new teams.
A report in The Province newspaper said a team in Las Vegas is practically a done deal with only an owner left to be determined.
The four-fold expansion plan would increase the number of NHL teams to 34 including nine Canadian clubs.
A second team in the Greater Toronto Area would have a direct impact on the Maple Leafs, which according to Forbes, are worth US$1.15 billion and considered the NHL’s most valuable franchise.
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