It’s no secret that the National Hockey League (NHL) has been rumored to wanting to expand to the pacific northwest. This rumor is quietly, and quickly, becoming a reality. Chris Daniels of KING 5 News reports that Victor J. Coleman, a Vancouver-based real estate mogul, has agreed to a “non-binding agreement” with Chris Hansen, a billionaire who brokered a deal woth the city of Seattle in 2012 to begin construction on a multi-sport arena complex.
Here’s an excerpt from Daniels’ article:
“Two sources with knowledge of the talks between Hansen and Coleman say that the two potential owners met in person a couple of weeks ago, and have been actively talking for months. In fact, according to the sources, the two potential ownership groups have signed a “non-binding” agreement which lays out the terms for Coleman’s contribution to the project and his potential revenue streams for a hockey franchise”
Daniels added that Coleman had, unsuccessfully, pitched his idea to both the city of Seattle and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman. He has made “significant strides” toward attaining his goal since.
In a NHL fan’s “perfect hockey world”, this would mean that the NHL is closing in on bringing a team to Seattle. This certainly looks like it is. But, it has been noted that Gary Bettman has made trips to Seattle to check the city out and he has downplayed those reported trips. If Bettman has any interest, he’s trying to keep it on the down-low.
Photo Credit: Rich Polk, Getty Images for Hudson Pacific
