From Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times:
Arena update: not really "news" just getting on record. Ray Bartozsek will apply to #NHL for expansion team in #Tukwila #NHLtoSeattle #Arena
— Geoff Baker (@GeoffBakerTIMES) June 30, 2015
As noted in that tweet, Bartoszek is behind the plan to build an arena in the Seattle suburb of Tukwila.
No confirmation if Victor Coleman, at one time (and maybe still) affiliated with Chris Hansen’s SoDo arena plan, will also apply.
The latest on that, from King 5’s Chris Daniels:
I am told that a senior member of #Seattle Mayor Ed Murray's staff spoke with Victor Coleman's rep late last week regarding #NHL expansion..
— Chris Daniels (@ChrisDaniels_TV) June 29, 2015
The call was initiated by Murray's camp, in relation to the announcement, that the #NHL would start soliciting expansion bids.
— Chris Daniels (@ChrisDaniels_TV) June 29, 2015
Talks continue between Hansen and would-be NHL partner Victor Coleman over funding such a venture. A spokesman for Murray said last week that no deal between the two had been forwarded his office but expressed optimism that the NHL-imposed August deadline would expedite talks.
The NHL’s “formal expansion review process” will begin July 6, with applications accepted no later than August 10.
Applications are already expected for expansion teams in Las Vegas, Toronto and Quebec City.